Kids in America (2005)

17% of critics liked it
(35 reviews)
66% of users liked it
(7,262 ratings)

Teenagers stand up for their rights and take on the woman who wants to scuttle their freedoms in this comedy drama inspired by a true story. Principal Weller (Julie Bowen) is the ambitious but hard-headed leader of Booker High School. Weller plans to run for superintendent of her school district,… More Teenagers stand up for their rights and take on the woman who wants to scuttle their freedoms in this comedy drama inspired by a true story. Principal Weller (Julie Bowen) is the ambitious but hard-headed leader of Booker High School. Weller plans to run for superintendent of her school district, and believes if she wants to win she needs to project the image of a no-nonsense leader, and with that in mind she begins cracking down on what she sees as discipline problems at Booker High. However, in many cases what she sees as kids out of control are seen by others as kids expressing themselves, including a girl who wants to distribute condoms to recognize National Safe Sex Day, and two boys who are caught kissing in the hallway between classes. Mr. Drucker (Malik Yoba) is a teacher at Booker who tries to champion the students' rights of free expression, but his conflicts with Principal Weller end up costing him his job when he's fired for questioning her authority. Holden Donovan (Gregory Smith) is a student at Booker who is alarmed that the students have lost one of their few allies, and decides to do something about it -- along with his classmates, he sets out to establish and defend the right of free expression for high-school students, and launches a campaign against Weller's bid to become superintendent. Kids in America also stars Stephanie Sherrin, Nicole Richie, Adam Arkin, George Wendt, and Elizabeth Perkins. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Josh Stolberg
Written By: Andrew Shaifer, Josh Stolberg
Genres: Documentary, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 21, 2005 Limited
On DVD: Mar 7, 2006
Studio: Slow Hand Releasing

Critic Reviews

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper
What a wasted opportunity.
Justin Chang, Variety
Would be easier to root for if it weren't so very pleased with itself.
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
A feeble call to arms, and inept entertainment to boot.
Lisa Rose, Newark Star-Ledger
While a title card at the beginning of the picture says the story is inspired by true events, it really should read, 'Inspired by another film.'
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Filmmaker Josh Stolberg claims to have been inspired by real-life events, but mostly he ineptly rips off other movies and wastes a cast that includes Rosanna Arquette, Adam Arkin and Elizabeth Perkins.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
You get the exhausting feeling that Stolberg is desperately trying to prove how cool he is.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
boy, does it kick goals! There's some real fun to be had here
Scott Weinberg, DVDTalk.com
The cast keeps it watchable, but it's not a flick you'll remember for more than 45 minutes.
Linda Cook, KWQC-TV (Iowa)
Even after 18 years of seeing every movie that plays here, I'm still surprised by some films. I even gave this one conflicting ratings.
, E! Online
Why did anyone bother making a teen movie after Heathers? No, really, why?
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
For sheer nerve, I give it full marks, even if it can't quite overcome its limitations in other areas.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
(They) let their political agenda blunt the laughs, or, conversely, let their comedic inclinations dilute the film's social message.
Brian Orndorf, eFilmCritic.com
Leaving the expression of 17 year-olds to the care of 35 year-old men is a good pathway to mediocrity, and a sure promise of insufferable, bogus screenwriting.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
occasionally approaches a provocative topic... only to scurry back into the safety zone of slapstick and put-downs.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
The screenplay tries to shake too many trees and ends up preaching - stabbing at straw men rather than taking the time to investigate problems with the education system.
Angel Cohn, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A muddled mess whose message gets lost in the confusion.

Read all 16 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

As far as I'm concerned, Kids In America is very underrated. What you have here with this film is a comedy that exposes an important subject. People hate on this film because of the fact that Nicole Ritchie plays in this film. Well, her role I thought was so minimal that it… More
As far as I'm concerned, Kids In America is very underrated. What you have here with this film is a comedy that exposes an important subject. People hate on this film because of the fact that Nicole Ritchie plays in this film. Well, her role I thought was so minimal that it really didn't bring anything memorable to the film. Her role wasn't an essential part of the film. I didn't care to see her on screen, and she didn't annoy me in the process. What I love about Kids In America is that it's very different that your usual Teen comedy. Where the usual teen comedy insults teens for what they usually "are", Kids In America takes a different, refreshing approach and creates something funny, charming but above all, smart. The casting choices are well done, and every actor is perfect for the part they played. The film is very entertaining, funny and well crafted. This is an underrated film that shouldn't be passed up. Most Teen comedies fail to capture what teen life really is about, but Kids In America is the only film of it's kind that is smart and exposes issues that people don't even care about. Kids In America is a better film than what people might think. A well acted film with laughs and drama about important teen issues. Sure the film could have been improved upon, but for what it does, it captures the essence of what growing up really is, and that is one of the reasons that this film works so well.
Nick G

Honestly I thought it was going to suck.. but there is a certain real edge to the movie that you don't find in the vast majority of "teen movies".. Most of the dialogue and characters are spot on, teens act like teens.. yet it still manages to be entertaining and… More
Honestly I thought it was going to suck.. but there is a certain real edge to the movie that you don't find in the vast majority of "teen movies".. Most of the dialogue and characters are spot on, teens act like teens.. yet it still manages to be entertaining and humorous while carrying a message without caving and going to extremes..No names for all but three of the major roles (Gregory Smith, Caitlin Wachs and Julie Bowen) adds to the feel.. A few moments of stupidity and one particular character hurt the movie.. but there are a few great standout scenes and characters that make up for it.. It's not perfect, but it wasn't meant to be.. otherwise you'd end up with that carbon copy teen movie..

Cast

            Gregory Smith as Holden Donovan

            Stephanie Sherrin as Charlotte Pratt

            Malik Yoba as Will Drucker

            Julie Bowen as Principal Weller

            Caitlin Wachs as Katie

            Emy Coligado as Emily Young

            Crystal Grant as Walanda Jenkins

            Christopher Morris IV as Chuck

            Alex Anfanger as Lawrence

            Adam Arkin as Mr. Mumsford

            George Wendt as Coach Thompson

            Andrew Shaifer as Chip Stratton

            Nicole Richie as Kelly Stepford

            Rosanna Arquette as Abby Pratt

            Elizabeth Perkins as Sondra Charmichael

            Charles Shaughnessy as Sergeant Charmichael

            W. Earl Brown as Boss McGinn

            Kim Coles as Loretta Jenkins

            Samantha Mathis as Jennifer Rose

            Amy Hill as Mrs. Young

            Michelle Phillips as Singer

            Derrick Jones as Reporter #2

            Ron Perkins as Murray Rietzer

            Tim Griffin as Tony

            Derek Webster as Police Officer #1

            Suzanne Krull as Reporter #3

            Jeff Chase as Asstistant Coach Fasso

            Steven Rosenbaum as Security Guard

            Damien Luvara as Rick Gracia

            Antoinette Peragine as Tammy

            Owen Williams as Cashier

            Michael Tubbs as Guitarist

            Genevieve Cortese as Ashley Harris

            Leila Charles Leigh as Jane Jordan

            Marcella Lentz-Pop as Elizabeth Goings

            Justin Halliwell as Twan

            Matthew Brent as Nat French

            Raymond Braun as Teenage Stanley

            Rakefet Abergel as Goth Kid

            Rosalie Ward as Monica Rose

            Eamon Roache as Police Officer #2

            Mary Strong as Reporter #1

            Steve Kim as Guitarist

            Tim Spears
            
            Johnny Estes as Guitarist

            Charlie Paxson as Drummer

            Jimmy Messer as Guitarist

            Chris Morris
            
            Crystal Celeste Grant
            
See full cast