As You Are (2016) User Reviews (18)

LJ's QR: Touching Movie + Resonant Message

[ljsmovies · 8/10 · 12 July 2016]

LJ'S QUICK MOVIE REVIEW

"As You Are" is a touching movie that explores the themes of belonging, friendship, love, anger, and envy in a heartwarming way. As the three main characters advance through their lives and face various challenges in their community, they face moments of self-doubt, self-discovery, and emotional conflict.

The three characters, two boys and one girl, form a close-knit trio. However, love, relationships, and family threaten to disarrange their lives forever. The simple, but well-written script, and great performances turn this basic premise into an emotional tale of three people trying to find their way in life together.

Overall, I truly enjoyed watching this movie. Although it can be melodramatic at times, its simple message resonates throughout the great acting, directing, and score. The movie's well-developed characters, unique plot, and emotional undertones makes it an engaging piece.

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Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be!

[subxerogravity · 7/10 · 26 February 2017]

When I saw the trailer, I thought the story they were suggesting was compelling enough to go see it. Then I see the movie and come to realize what the trailer was selling was only the tip of the ice berg on how rich and intelligent this film is. It's rare that a trailer that only shows one layer of the film has a movie that still has many good layers to see, and has a great story that was not fully reveled in the trailer.

First and foremost, it's a coming of age story about Jack, whose an awkward teenager living in a small town in the mid-90s going through that phase of trying to find yourself (Somewhat with the words of Kurt Corbain. hence the title). Then he finds a companion in Mark, someone going through the same thing, making him easy to talk to. This part of the movie is done perfectly. It's the part most, if not all of us can relate to. Then Mark and Jack's relationship gets complicated as they explore a part of it that's beyond friendship.

Adding to the complexity is Sarah, a girl who completes a tribunal of friendship as she likes both boys equally(but does gravitate more towards one over the other), and Mark's dad Tom whose courting Jack's mom, who comes off as a well meaning man whose too hard on Mark and too macho to be of any good to either teenage boy.

And as interesting as this layered story is there is also the layer that goes over gun control. Filmed as a flashback of the characters being integrated by a police officer, the movie does spark an interesting conversation over guns. It literally goes from a innocent scene of a man teaching youths how to properly handle firearms to bringing up an issue of how harmful a gun can be in emotional unstable hands.

As You Are is a great film. It's the type of movie that's real relatable on a lot of levels and it makes you want to talk about it (Very Similar to the band and the type of music the characters listen to in the film). One of my favorite coming of age stories.

http://cinemagardens.com/

A serious and delicate encompassing film

[guisreis · 8/10 · 5 November 2020]

A delicate, careful, deep, well made drama movie which deal with the complexities of issues such as youth, sexuality, violence, prejudice, friendship, love, sadness, anger, self knowledge.

A valiant attempt at an unique narrative structure

[biodieselnetwork · 7/10 · 2 June 2018]

There is quite a good film here, from excellent cinematography to a brilliantly lo-key cast. The screenwriter and director should be commended for creating a film which is both a convincing coming-of-age drama (set around 1994), and a rumination on reality and truth. Whether it was influenced directly by Kurosawa's Rashomon is unclear, but the similarities are too striking to not be commented on. Formally, As You Are can be seen as a formal imitation of Rashomon, as it is structured upon a murder investigation, chapterized by the interrogations of the law official, and different flashbacks developing the story, but without ever coming to straight out answers to the mystery. A director could do worse than imitate and develop structures and themes first put on film by the great Japanese master. And this fine film results in a brilliant homage, rather than a plagiarized pastiche.

Sweet and Sad

[khptvbmzs · 7/10 · 16 January 2023]

I watched this movie based off the suggestions: Perks of Being a Wallflower, Little Miss Sunshine, and Everything Sucks. It was the same level of sadness as Perks of Being a Wallflower, but with the realism of Little Miss Sunshine & decade piece feel of Everything Sucks. It is placed in the time period around Kurt Cobain's death, which is given a nod in the title of the movie. It's a coming-of-age film with emphasis on relationships, violence, and compassion. If you need to shed a tear, this movie will probably destroy you. Overall, a decent drama giving perspective to multiple layer themes. 7/10.

A first time effort which shows future promise, but slightly drowns out its beauty with the way it foreshadows.

[Amari-Sali · 7/10 · 28 February 2017]

Even with taking note that this is not playing at your local theater, meaning you have to make an effort to see this, I feel even if it was accessible I would have mixed feelings. For while I love loved the characters, loved the plot dealing with Mark and Jack's experimenting, as well as the complicated relationship Mark and Tom have, the way the police investigation is used honestly ruins the movie. For while you understand the purpose is to present intrigue through foreshadowing, you may feel, like I did, that there were probably better ways to execute this story. So while you have to commend Joris-Peyrafitte for this being his first film, you can see that he needs to learn why the adage "Less is more" isn't as much a cliché as it is sound advice.

hell yeah man

[rlmandtherats · 30 August 2018]

This is the best film i have ever seen...the filming! the editing!! the story!!! heartbreaking and tender and wonderful. i wish i could have learned a little more about jack and sarah's backstories though. otherwise i H I G H L Y recommend this to everyone i know on planet earth. loved it. loved it loved it loved it.

Good, but not impressive

[rainabosniac · 6/10 · 22 August 2018]

It is very slow paced and what I liked most about it was how in the first 50 minutes it focused more on the characters, but as it started drawing to a close, it started focusing more on the plot. That aspect ruined it for me, the focus on its characters having been its strongest point. The actors played the characters beautifully, doing so without any help from the aimless dialogue. The fact that the dialogue was aimless, one might even say stupid, and by no means strong, proved that you can make an astonishing movie without its help. I loved the way the story was retold, but I feel like there was something missing. I had really high expectations from it, and unfortunately, they weren't quite met.

Powerful, Emotional and Quietly Beautiful

[lucpimm · 10/10 · 25 April 2018]

As You Are is a powerful, emotional and wonderfully directed movie. In the film, all characters personalities were deeply flawed, and clearly this young trio were trying their best to figure out the world around them, as well as themselves and their sexualities. Watching this movie i found the natural chemistry between all 3 of the young actors; Charlie Heaton, Owen Campbell and Amandla Stenberg was so obvious and made the characters they depicted so realistic and connected. The director, Miles Joris-Peyrafitte knew what this movie should be and executed it amazingly. the dark and depressive, yet quietly beautiful mood was obvious throughout the whole film. The soundtrack, which Joris-Peyrafitte also had a hand in matched this tone astonishingly well. Listening to it by itself is positively haunting and paired with the cinematography and performances of these talented actors made for a treat. The plot is slow, but the quiet moments between the drama is welcomed and balanced well. I do have a soft spot for gay "love" story films, especially for those set in the 90's. I use the term love loosely because it isn't what this movie is about. On paper, maybe. But the themes of mental health, politics, growing up, nostalgia are sprinkled artfully throughout and give the movie much more depth. As well as this, the choice of setting the story in a police interview, looking back was smart, as it envelopes the whole film in mystery and suspicion until the very last moment, but this last moment still leaves viewers questioning and confused. (as well as emotional and crying for me ;-;) I love love loved As You Are and can watch it 3 more times and it will still have the same imprint on me as the first time i watched it, and the more times i do, I just grow to love the setting, characters and cinematography more and more.

Slow and doesn't hold attention well enough.

[audie_u · 5/10 · 1 November 2018]

Any time it seems to pick up the pace and begin to be interesting it loses steam again. Not enough focus is put on any relationship for long enough. As a viewer I appreciate a more insiders view but this movie keeps everything just a little too distant.

great flick!

[kevinsheamd · 10/10 · 9 February 2016]

I loved this movie. The acting was great, as was the cinematography. Best coming of age story I've seen in a long, long time. I can't believe this was the director's first film! More details below. It was great seeing Mary Stuart Masterson on the big screen again. She does a wonderful job as a vulnerable, yet still sexy, single mom. Scott Cohen is very believable as the tough, bullying military-type dad. And the actors who play the 3 teenage friend are all fantastic! I remember Amanda Stenberg from "Hunger Games", and she is wonderful as the smart, yet isolated, adopted daughter of a white family. Owen Campbell deserves an Oscar for his fantastic performance as Mary Stuart Masterson's lonely but loving son. And watch out for British actor Charlie Heaton, whose strong acting and brooding good looks are reminiscent of a young James Dean or Marlon Brando. Last but not least, I can't wait to see future films directed by the young prodigy Miles Joris-Peyrafitte. Oh, and he was the screenwriter too, along with his friend and co-author Madison Harrison. In summary, a great film, well-directed, well-produced and well-acted.

Slow and not very interesting.

[deloudelouvain · 5/10 · 4 July 2020]

As You Are is an average movie, nothing too special about it to be honest. Needless to say the extremely positive reviews (the ten star ratings) are from people that just rated this movie and nothing else, you get the picture on what's going on here. That said I don't regret watching it but it will just be a one time viewing as for that the story is just too slow to develop and also a bit boring. They wanted to create a mystery, but towards the end it becomes just an average story not really worth to be told. The acting wasn't bad though, the music was quite boring (some lame piano music, that's never good), the cinematography and editing was just about okay. In other words I watched hundreds of these kind of movies, movies I will forget everything about it the next day. And that's the reason I review everything I watch, to make sure I don't watch it again in the future.

Tremendous directorial full length feature debut and beautiful film

[stephenw-30180 · 8/10 · 16 June 2017]

"As You Are" is one of those rare films that comes along every two or three years that really resonates with the viewer through its pure unabashed story telling and painful true to life's circumstances.

This inspired coming of age film, set in the early to mid 90's is about a single Mom and her son who welcome to their home a man (dating the mother) and his son and the sons become best friends. They are teenagers and cut from the same cloth, so they get attached very quickly. There are several facets to the story line and plot I will not divulge so as to not spoil the film for potential viewers.

The film progresses through a taut and harrowing undercurrent of brewing violence and uncertainty from the Adult Man figure and thus, his son rebels and it affects his new friend/roommate/brother of sorts, as Well as the Mother figure. The film illustrates the difficulties teen's face when subjected to ridicule for being outsiders and struggling with their own sexuality. Not to mention Having to deal with an unstable home environment.

The story is told from the perspective of a detective interviewing various members of the cast through the eye of a camera's lens, which Is not made clear till the end of the film. the film. This is tackled by the detectives interviews with the various characters portrayed throughout.

Acting and Direction was fabulous. Plot and story line tight and told with gritty realism. It addresses some difficult subject matter and by no means is it a "feel good movie", but one well worth watching.

I applaud the Director And actors alike for telling a story not easily told or accepted as mainstream popular. There should be more films like "As you are", made.

A definite recommendation for anyone tired of the commercial garbage typically pumped daily by large production Co.'s and big name Media giants.

Geez what a mess of a film....

[mcjensen-05924 · 1/10 · 10 March 2024]

It's not the worst idea for a movie, as it's been done to death hundreds of times before. But this is one of the dryest, blandest, most uninteresting slogs of a movie I've ever attempted to sit through. The parents were probably the worst part, portrayed as simple minded fools doing all the generic things movie parents do. The father was particularily over the top in his nonsensical role. Second worst part? The music. Incredibly awful soundtrack makes this dull turd seem even more incompetent than it really needs to be. A half hour in I thought it had been on for 2 hours already. Not good. The kids: Unfortunately, nothing new or refreshing is offered in the way of portraying these disillusioned youths. The interplay between the main males is unconvincing, sterile and rather predictable, not to mention a thoroughly unnecessary scene about a third of the way in. Every once in a while this movie couldn't resist adding superflous material to appease God knows who. And yes, of course there's a character of color thrown in that neither adds or detracts from the plot. Plain dense. The fact it's set in the 90's is completely irrelevant to what happens here. Even the police interviewer seemed like an idiot. This was amateur hour that seemed like anateur eternity. If you can make it through in it's entirety, let me know, and I'll buy you and your family dinner. Seriously, it's a very weak endeavor.

A cinematic revolution in touching and transcendental

[mhhondas · 9/10 · 21 November 2017]

Miles Joris-Peyrafitte does a spectacular job in conveying the complex emotions of his teenage characters. The film does its best to relate to viewers while also making them largely uncomfortable; in the best way possible for the story. While it does follow in the traditional route most LGBT coming-of-age movies in their ways of sadness and struggle with self-acceptance, it does so rather tastefully.

However, it does seem that I am one of the few folks who enjoy the way the movie has split up its time-line. Similar to Dunkirk, the director makes a bold choice in shifting between the present interviews and past memories. This makes what viewers tend to believe as the climax or "end of the story" a prevalent force throughout. While I do agree that the foreshadowing could have been done with just a tad more mystery, I do not believe that doing so was what the cast intended with the story. Therefore, I feel there should be a respect for the decision to leave the ending so raw and out in the open.

As it begins, As You Are opens wounds and has you hoping for even more heart-warming moments but leaves you glad it is done exactly the way it is. It truly opens discussions on many topics and while not necessarily happy, the film touches its audience with its profound messages. This film is definitely worth the watch.

Beautiful movie that I can't stop thinking about

[makayhart · 8/10 · 27 January 2023]

To be completely honest, I started watching this movie because of the semi-viral scene where Mark tells Jack "I wish you were a girl." I could feel the agony of the characters from just that short scene and I felt compelled to watch the full movie all know the whole story. I loved the main characters(Jack, Mark, and Sarah), but I felt the most drawn to Mark. Mark, a teenager in the 90s struggling with having an abnormal home life as well as identity and sexuality problems, despite not necessarily being the protagonist, certainly had all my attention. That has a lot to do with the acting on its own as well as his actual, written character. He has relatable characteristics while also being portrayed as both a victim and a (kind of) perpetrator. I think it's very important to have characters like that in film.

Ahhh pain

[nllebeau · 10/10 · 15 July 2022]

I am in pain suffering sadness this movie is one of the few that will make me cry every time it is amazing and everyone in the world should know about it. The story the acting the pain everything is amazing 😭😭 after watching it for the first time it become on of my favorite movies.

youthful, inspirational and honest.

[pyttan-61791 · 9/10 · 18 January 2021]

I really really enjoyed this movie. The characters chemistry was truly impactful, and it resonated with me. the storylines felt fresh even though there are so many movies that explores the subjects of lgbtq youth. Most special to me however was how believable the relationship was between the two main characters, they had me rooting for them from the start.