SLIFF 2010 Review: MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS

Most of the general movie-going public perceives documentaries as somber, serious cinema that’s ‘gonna’ make you learn somethin’ cause it’s good for you”. More like the steamed broccoli or creamed spinach in the movie meal rather than the dessert. Well, here’s the film to shatter that notion: MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS. It’ll put a smile on your face, a spring in your step, and a song in your heart. And yes, you may learn a little something, but the lessons will go down as smoothly as any pastry.

The main focus of the film are three high school drama departments in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania(lovely place and..hey, they make crayons there! Cool!). Turns out that each schools ‘ theatre productions are as competitive as the athletic departments. One reason may be the Freddy Awards which honor high school musical productions and are actually broadcast live on TV(like the Tonys) from the State Theatre. The main rivalry may be between Parkland HS and the smaller Emmaus HS since they both put on productions of “Les Miserables” on the same weekend! We’re treated to a montage of their drama directors slightly snipping at the other. The filmmakers follow both schools from rehearsals to opening night. Freedom HS is the other school profiled as director Jennifer Wescoe mounts a production of the high school perennial classic “Bye, Bye, Birdie”. Zach Gibson, Amanda Kostalis, and several other cast members are interviewed, but the most unusual story may be that of Conrad Birdie himself, John Andredis. After concentrating on soccer for most of his high school years, John(a senior) tried out for his first stage production. Surprisingly his father seems to be even more thrilled about this than John’s mother. Papa Andreadis proudly shows off the tiny paint brush he uses to touch up the gold “Birdie” shoes every night after dress rehearsal! Shortly after the shows have played it’s time for the announcement of the Freddy Award nominations! Students from the three schools gather around their sets to watch the news live over WFMZ,TV69. Then the rehearsals begin for the big broadcast.But one question consumes the young actors’ thoughts: Who will take home a Freddy?

Of course there’s plenty of surprises onstage as the different schools must come together for the opening and closing group numbers and backstage as one of the co-ordinators must deal with a medical crisis. I’d better confess something here: some of my fondest memories of high school are of being on stage and belting out tunes as Nathan Detroit from “Guys and Dolls” and Harry Mcafee from the very same “Bye, Bye Birdie”. This film completely captures that spirit of teamwork and the unbridled pure joy of musical theater. It shifts effortlessly between the three school aided by intimate, unobtrusive camera work and a sprightly original musical score. MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS may be the perfect remedy if you’re feeling down from the dismal news stories in newspapers and TV about America’s youth. To paraphrase the classic Who song(and a great movie from earlier in the year), the kids are all right. Heck, they’re not just all right they’re fantastic and more than a bit fabulous! What a treat!

MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS will play during the 19th Annual Stella Artois St. Louis International Film Festival on Wednesday, November 17th at 7:00 pm at the Tivoli Theatre.