THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST
US, 2018, 91 minutes, Colour.
Chloe Grace Moretz, Jennifer Ehle, Sasha Lane, Forrest Goodluck, Kerry Butler, Dalton Harrod, John Gallagher Jr, Christopher Dylan White.
Directed by Desiree Akhavan.
The title clearly indicates that something is wrong.
Cameron Post is a teenage girl, still at school, living at home with her guardian. She has a girlfriend and they are being prepared for prom night, dresses, make up, photos… The boys come calling. However, Cameron is not an enthusiast about the prom. She is in love with her girlfriend.
This is a film about sexual orientation, same-sex orientation, teenagers facing their orientation, hiding it, experiencing shame. When the girls are caught by the boys, Cameron is sent off to a re-education institution, for re-orientation, for, as is said, being de-gayed, confronting gender confusion. However, this is a Christian-based institution, with quotations from Matthew’s Gospel and, powerfully at the end, St Paul’s comments about his own experience with torment and the thorn that he asked God to be rid of (interpreted here in sexuality terms).
The facility, as it is called, is run by a brother and sister. The brother, Rick, has been re-oriented from being gay. His sister has a doctor’s qualification and runs everything by herself. At one stage, and the audience is possibly thinking this, there is a question as to what qualifications they actually do have and whether they are making things up as they go along. Jennifer Ehle brings the charm from her other roles but turns it into a sweet-smiling but iron-controlling personality. And the question is asked about what accountability the brother and sister have for their initiatives, for the course, for their control.
Chloe Grace Moretz, in her late teens, has had a very successful film career. She is convincing as a girl who is confused, made even more confused by the re-orientation, puzzled by the appeal to God, remedies based on overcoming sin, and stating eventually that she was tired of being disgusted with herself, something that the course re-emphasises.
The treatment of the facility is particularly American, echoing something of a cult, with a kind of Pentecostal enthusiasm, with TV programs which are ultra-zestful in the name of God, and some approaches to aversion therapy.
Cameron is allotted a roommate who is very earnest, says all the right things, tries to do all the right things, but is unaware (as the audience actually is) that she really is not changing in her orientation. There are group meetings and we are introduced to a range of those participating in the course including a chubby young woman who wants to sing but has a low self-image, a rather arrogant young man, a young man whom his father labels as effeminate who is driven to drastic physical action against himself. Cameron bonds with two of the members, Jane (Sasha Lane), a rather tough-minded young woman and Adam, Forest Goodluck, earnest and a good friend.
By these years in the early 21st century, such programs have generally been discredited although they are supported earnestly by those who believe that such re-orientation is possible and, especially by homophobic people who consider that it is essential.
The film has a comparatively brief running time, focuses on female same-sex relationships principally, invites the audience to understand as well as empathise with the young women, also invites the audience to be critical of those running the program, raising the questions and leaving the audience to reflect on possible answers. (A forthcoming film, Boy Erased, raises the issues in terms of male-male orientation.)
1. The title, the tone? The critique?
2. American issues, style, culture? Universal issues?
3. The issue of re-orientation, de-gaying? Attitudes pro and con? The possibilities of re-orientation? Not? The consequences?
4. Professional help, the abilities of those in charge, qualifications, accusations of making things up as they went along? The personnel, backgrounds, philosophy, understanding of human nature, sexual orientation, religious background, theology, methods? Aversion therapy? Religious background, Pentecostal style, Revivalist style? TV programs? The long-lasting effect or not?
5. Cameron, the introduction, her masculine name, her age, the death of her parents, Ruth looking after her? With her friend, the sexual experience, the orientation? Photos for the prom, Ruth and her enthusiasm, the boys, the expectations, the dance? The couple being caught?
6. Cameron being sent to the facility, the encounter with Rick, with Lydia? The range of those at the facility? The welcome, expectations, the inspecting of luggage, the room
and the roommate, the classes and the teacher, meals, walks and hikes, activities, the discussions, Jane and the drugs? The variety of sessions?
7. The religious background, issues of sin, making people hate themselves through their orientation and behaviour? The shoplifting incident? The roommate, her earnestness and saying the right things, Adam’s reaction, confessing or not? Issues of faith, prepare prayer, possibilities for belief?
8. The effect on Cameron, her memories and the flashbacks, her erotic dreams, with the teacher? Uncertainty? Learning, mixing with the others, the friendships, the phone call home, the roommate and the sexual encounter, Cameron preparing to leave?
9. Rick’s story, the background of his orientation, re-orientation, working with his sister? With those at the facility? Lydia, the smooth manner, relationship with Rick, with the students, her iron will, controlling? Reaction to Cameron, to the others? To Mark and his mutilation?
10. The variety of characters, Jane, tough, Adam, the issue of his hair, the drugs? Helen, chubby, wanting to sing, Dave and his resentment?
11. Mark, his father, the quotation from St Paul to the Corinthians and begging to be relieved of the thorn? His despair, self-mutilation? Cameron and being tired of being disgusted with herself?
12. The audience drawing conclusions about re-orientation? Behaviour, attitudes? Love, relationships, sexuality, gender confusion, change?
13. The finale, the three in the back of the truck, going to freedom?
