The story revolves around a boy named Troy Billings, the high school kid wants to suicide because he is overweight. He tries to suicide by jumping in front of the bus and is saved by Curt MacCrae, a former student from Troy's high school. And Curt MacCrae wants to start a new punk rock band with Troy. Troy's relationship with Curt MacCrae gradually grows.
Lillard - an actor best-known for his role in "The Descendants" - uses the locations well enough, but the result is still a standard coming-of-age picture.
School Library Journal
October 06, 2012
Like Going's award-winning book, the film is frank and doesn't sugarcoat the source material.
The film succeeds thanks to Lillard's clear affection for the material and on the strength of its performances, especially Billy Campbell as Troy's conflicted father.
It's got its flaws, starting with the fact that the ground it covers is exceedingly well-trodden, but it's amiable and it's honest, and that counts for something.
A sweet-natured and loose-limbed coming-of-age tale that delivers by way of its smart, sympathetic performances and an accumulation of telling details.
