Whole New Thing

Previously homeschooled Emerson Thorsen (Aaron Webber), a 13 year-old author and playwright, may have an age appropriate Harry-Potter-inspired image (without the mousy disposition), but his problems are more of this world as well as less sensational - the latter perhaps not being to his benefit. His excellent verbal and written communication skills aren't enough to convince his mother, Kaya (Rebecca Jenkins), that his anemic math abilities shouldn't be honed by someone presumably better fit for the job, like a public school teacher.

Hubristic by nature yet lacking the experience, and accoutrement that only Junior High can offer, Emerson gets himself into a bit of a pickle when he (privately) intimates a crush on his new English teacher, Don Grant (Daniel MacIvor), without actually thinking about the circumstance involved. In some ways this endearing yet troublesome escapade would seem to wreak havoc on Don Grant's life, problem is it doesn't. This decision of not opting for small-town drama, or pedophilia could be viewed as taking the high road by many, but a lack of satisfaction emerges when you realize the cheap shots haven't been supplemented by top-shelf concoctions.

Though the characters are somewhat engaging, the story fails to shed any sort of light or dismay on the initial set-up. Emerson's parents, Kaya and Rog (Robert Joy), undergo a marital crisis due to Rog's ongoing disinterest in sex. Emerson's English teacher, Don, has depressing sexual encounters with other closeted men at a local rest stop to usurp his post-failed-relationship blues.

Emerson's naive attempts at love somehow serve as a catalyst for the more seasoned characters in the film. It concludes with everyone else's problems on the way to resolution, except for Emerson's - which are presumably just beginning. In some ways, it feels like a liberal's version of an after-school special. In other ways, it's a bit like Rog's eco-friendly, not yet workable, excrement/fuel idea; the idea is there, but its ability to create an impact isn't.

Directed by Amnon Buchbinder, and co-written with Daniel MacIvor.