Movie review: Molly Maxwell

Source: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2388705/

Info: Molly Maxwell is a 2013 romance movie starring Lola Tash as Molly, high school student, and Charlie Carrick as Ben, Molly's teacher and mentor. It was written and directed by Sara St. Onge. Movie is 1 hour and 30 minutes long.

Note: Plot has all spoilers, impression some and recommendation none.

Source: http://www.catherinelutes.com/molly-maxwell-feature-film-trailer/

Plot: Movie is set up at Phoenix Progressive School where students are encouraged to find their own (weird) passion and to stand out in the most creative way no matter which subjects they choose. We soon meet Molly, a student who seems to be not interested in anything but spending time with her friends and waiting for school to be over. She also has quite a friendly relationship with the school director who tells her she needs to find an extra activity to pass the grade. She had no idea what she would like, but to the rescue comes her new English teacher Ben who encourages her to take up photography as he has seen her taking photos of her friends. He also becomes her mentor and sets up a dark room and teaches Molly how do develop photos. One day, in a need of some inspiration, Molly suggests going to an island near by. Ben agrees after some time and they spend a great day together followed by an awkward ferry ride home. Even though Ben asked her not to, Molly develops photos of him and her that day and decides to personally deliver some. When he invites her into his apartment, the two have quite awkward conversation and silences in between. Suddenly, Molly decides to take her clothes off and Ben slowly approaches her. The two share a moment, which was also awkward because Molly put her head under his shirt, but also sweet and almost innocent. They don't say a word and she leaves. Since he is still her teacher, they share some moments in the school and dark room, but Ben is well aware of the rules and the consequences. When she visits him again, he tries to avoid their chemistry, but soon kisses her and makes up a rule: clothing stays on. So they kiss, cuddle and then she leaves again. They meet again at his place and Molly tries to have sex with Ben, but he sticks to his rule and Molly admits she actually has no idea what she is doing. School director suspects there's something more happening between them so he fires Ben and invited Molly's parents who ground her. With their final attempt to sleep together, Ben again ends it knowing how the things are. Molly, obviously hurt, goes to a party and sleeps with a random guy, texts Ben she is no longer a virgin which she soon regrets. They meet one last time at a pub where he's preforming. Molly is asked to leave in the middle of the show because she's under-aged.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs1Nx2uk7rQ

My impression: I don't know. You know I'm a sucker for romance, but there was something missing here. First off, if she was in college, I wouldn't mind it, but they're portraying it like she is 16 (I think) and he is 30 or something which is kinda gross to me. However, they do have a great chemistry. I loved it how he stayed true to himself and they didn't actually have sex because it's different from what most movies would do. He knows it's wrong and he could be fired and go to jail for this, but he is also torn cause he feels something for her too. Although, I would say the fact that she was in his apartment cuddled up in a blanket was already crossing a line. I love how awkward their scenes were, because that's exactly what I would expect from a young student and her teacher if they were ever to be in this kind of relationship. I also really liked that her mom stood by her in the end because she saw that all was actually good, he wasn't harming her and Molly just needed to find her path. However, I missed some more plot and the ending was really not for me. I need a part 2 now because I actually want them to meet in a few years.

Source: https://bit.ly/2SrKIXW

Recommendation: I read a lot of reviews online and they're all positive. I would recommend this movie because it's more real than some other teenage movies with this plot. It also shows how you can't pick love or attraction. I mentioned it above that I was missing more plot and I personally skipped scenes with her friends, but you may like them cause it shows how friends can easily fall apart when there's a new person or boyfriend in the picture.

Read some of my earlier movie reviews to see if we have some similar taste in movies.

I found this movie as a recommendation on Instagram. I don't regret watching it. What do you think of it?