'ALEX STRANGELOVE': Four Stars (Out of Five)

A teen sex comedy about a high school senior trying to lose his virginity, who's life is changed when he meets a gay kid from across town. The movie was written and directed by Craig Johnson (who also helmed 2014's 'THE SKELETON TWINS' and 2017's 'WILSON'),and it was co-produced by Ben Stiller. The film stars Daniel Doheny, Madeline Weinstein, Antonio Marziale, Joanna Adler and William Ragsdale. It's received mostly positive reviews from critics, and it was released by Netflix through it's streaming site. I found it to be funny, well made and effectively touching.

Alex Truelove (Doheny) is a high school senior who's still a virgin, and he's been dating his girlfriend Claire (Weinstein) for some time now. Claire and Alex decide they're finally going to have sex, but Alex is extremely nervous about it. Then he meets Elliot (Marziale),a gay student from across town, and he doesn't quite understand the strange feelings he has for him. This especially complicates his relationship with Claire, and their plans to take Alex's virginity.

The movie looks and feels like a classic 80s style teen sex comedy (pretty much),except for the gay twist in it. It's actually really similar to 'LOVE, SIMON' from earlier this year, but it's probably not quite as good as that. Still it's a really well made, and moving teen romcom. I found it to be entertaining for most of it's running length. It's also emotional, and insightful as well (especially towards the end).

Hormones are running wild at Buchanan High. Animal obsessed student body president Alex Truelove is an awkward teen looking for true love. He falls hard for Claire and they become video partner best friends. Eventually, they get into a relationship. Claire lets slip that Alex has been preventing her from devirginizing him. They decide on a hotel rendezvous to do it for the first time. Then he meets openly gay Elliott.

The crass friend Dell does something crass to prove a point. My move would be less crass but still somewhat crass. Dell is more than a simplistic idiot sidekick. This is a good sexual confusion movie. I do have a presumed idea of where this movie is going but this takes a different road. I expected the hotel to be the climax. It might be better to structure that way. It may not be as sweet but it would be more dramatic. After the big emotional explosion, it can't really get that big again. Emotional tension kinda drift slowly down. Even his big reveal can't break that level again. Honestly, she has a bigger emotional arc than he does. Maybe, the coming out story is thankfully no longer shocking and this should be her story instead. Of course, there is a comparison to the other recent teen coming out movie, Love, Simon. I think they are both very compelling and slightly flawed in different ways. They could be a solid double bill.

"Sir. You can't come out here. This is the War Room!"

What a touching, sweet High School coming out story. And it reminds me: while every story is different, the predictable, yet satisfying, conclusion is always present. Kinda like other high school stories based around the winning football team.

An 18-year-old "straight" A Senior/Student President is roundabout suckered into losing his virginity to his best friend-turned-girlfriend and before the big event can happen, a gorgeous gay ex-High School graduate (same of-age as the Senior) appears to throw a wrench in his perfectly-planned life. This student, Not-Andrew-Garfield's Peter Parker, must choose between who he is and which condom will fit best.

It's a nice little rom-com-rom that's funny at times and has the making of a John Hughes' 80s remake. It's not quite up to those movies, but has its own soul and the acting is pretty darn good for no one I've heard of/seen before.

While not perfect and I did like the ending, it all felt like it was at 80%. Almost there, but no real complaints and hopefully it helps some kids or, even, adults.

Especially the wonderful end credits scene.

***

Final thoughts: 100 points to anyone who got my two references in my intro quote and a bonus 1,000 for WHY.