TERRI

US, 2011, 105 minutes, Colour.
Jacob Wysocki, John C. Reilly, Bridger Zadina, Creed Bratton, Olivia Crocicchia, Justin Prentice.
Directed by Azazel Jacobs.

Terri is a film about misfits, misfits especially at school.

Jacob Wysocki portrays Terri, a heavy fifteen-year-old, whose parents are absent (no explanation), who cares for his ailing uncle who has his ups and downs. Terri is often late for school, is mocked by the other students, finds it difficult to adjust at home, wears pyjamas to school. Other misfits include young Chad, a thin little boy who imagines he is God’s gift to women. There is also Heather Miles, imposed on by the lad in the class, who exploits her sexually and makes her a victim.

John C. Reilly appears as the assistant principal, Mr Fitzgerald. He has concerns for the misfits, gives them special attention, shows them photos of himself when he was a misfit in the past. He has his own story, especially a difficult relationship with his wife.

The film shows various episodes in Terri’s life, some positive, some negative. However, towards the end, there is a long (over-long?) episode with Chad, Heather and Terri with some drug-taking and some sexual exploration. It seems out of proportion to the themes explored throughout the film.

There is a semi-positive ending – but a taking stock of Terri at fifteen and what his life has been like thus far – and some hopes for the future.

Director Azazel Jacobs is an experimental film director who gained some international interest and reputation with his 2008 film, Momma’s Man.

1. The portrait of a boy, a misfit, his life, need for acceptance?

2. The director and his small-budget films, unknown cast, the use of John C. Reilly as Mr Fitzgerald, a more ambitious project than his previous films?

3. The portrait of the town, Terri’s house, the walk to school through the paddock, the park, the oval? Sports scenes? The reality of the town and the feel of the town? The people, the students?

4. The school itself, the corridors, classrooms, laboratories? Teachers and their attitudes, teaching, supervising, sports teachers and their demands and Terri’s lack of interest? The assistant principal’s secretary, her age, listening in, her smoking – and her death and funeral? Mr Fitzgerald’s office, his seeing the students?

5. Jacob Wysocki as Terri, his size, his age, at home, no parents, the strange presence of his uncle, his uncle’s health ups and downs, helpless at times, managing otherwise? Details of house care, meals and preparation? Talk? The uncle improving, in town? Terri and his being late for school? Dawdling? His wearing pyjamas? The issue of the mice in the attic, his setting the traps, his taking them away and giving them for the eagle to eat, watching – and his uncle’s negative reaction to this? Mr Fitzgerald’s?

6. In class, the mockery from Jack, in the science laboratory, watching Heather and Jack and their behaviour, Jack later in the toilet and his sex talk and boasting? The girls watching the two? But Terri staying as a loner?

7. Mr Fitzgerald, his dealing with the students going to his office? The kids waiting? Chad, the boy in the wheelchair? Heather being sent to the principal?

8. Mr Fitzgerald and Terri, initial sympathy? The talk, the issues of lateness, the pyjamas etc? The issue of Jack and his behaviour? Terri’s defending of Heather? The invitation to come on Mondays for special sessions? Mr Fitzgerald showing the photo of himself when he was young, empathy for Terri? Wanting to help? Terri and his return, the other students there, Chad?

9. Heather, her mother, going to Mr Fitzgerald, his treatment of her, Terri going back into the room to defend her? In class, their passing notes together? Communication and humour? Talking outside school, Heather wanting to visit?

10. Chad, his size, self-esteem? His inviting himself to the house, his misbehaving, going to the toilet, the tension? Heather’s arrival? The discussions, Chad and his sexual preoccupation and humiliation? The taking of the drugs and their effect?

11. Terri, his encounter with Heather, the aftermath?

12. The secretary dying, Mr Fitzgerald inviting Terri to go to the funeral, his apology for showing the photo to Chad? The awkwardness of the funeral ceremony? The aftermath, the food? Terri and his apology to Chad?

13. Terri, finding the principal in his car, the issue of the fight with his wife? His weeping? Their going to eat together?

14. The end of the film, summing up Terri’s life thus far? Prospects for his future?