The 1980s nostalgia that permeates Trevor Anderson’s revelatory “Before I Change My Mind” acts as a vibrant, compelling facade, masking the deeper truths and complex vulnerabilities simmering beneath. On its surface, the film revels in the decade’s gaudy aesthetics and teen apathy — acid-washed excess festooned with gloriously cringe-y synth-pop. However, this candy-coated veneer belies richer thematic territory being mined.
Anderson’s poignant character study dissects the messy interiority of adolescence through the lens of a queer, non-binary teenager, Robin. With remarkable nuance, deft humor, and disarming authenticity, the film charts Robin’s turbulent journey of self-discovery within the ruthlessly cliquish hierarchy of high school. Deceptively profound beneath its breezy, nostalgic trappings, “Before I Change My Mind” emerges as both an incisive coming-of-age tale and a beautifully tender, empathetic call for introspection regarding the masks we all don as teenagers.
Outcasts United, Then Divided
In the opening moments of “Before I Change My Mind”, newcomer Robin (Vaughan Murrae) instantly stands out by defiantly refusing to conform to the rigid gender segregation at their new school in 1980s Edmonton. ThisHead-turning introduction sets the stage for the film’s central narrative – Robin’s emotionally turbulent quest for acceptance and self-discovery.
Initially targeted by arrogant bully Carter (Dominic Lippa) and his posse of cruel popular kids, the introverted Robin surprisingly forms an unlikely connection with Carter. Bonding over their shared status as outcasts, as well as a love of music, the pair begin an uneasy friendship that slowly evolves into something more complex.
As Robin finds themself increasingly drawn into Carter’s clique, they meet kind-hearted aspiring singer Izzy (Lacey Oake), with whom a romantic spark ignites. This burgeoning love triangle strains Robin’s tenuous social footing, forcing them to confront difficult choices about belonging versus being true to oneself.
Complicating matters further is the racist bullying endured by Robin’s classmate Tony (Jhztyn Contado), which mirrors the marginalization Robin experiences. In desiring acceptance from Carter’s crew, Robin is compelled at times to participate in the taunting of Tony, betraying their own moral compass.
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With keenly observant storytelling and multidimensional character work, “Before I Change My Mind” deftly explores the fickle social politics of high school life. Beneath the 80s cultural trappings and John Hughes-esque tropes, a richly textured, universally resonant tale about the personal turmoils of adolescence takes poignant shape.
Fearless Excavation of Adolescent Turmoil
While its nostalgic 1980s trappings are rendered with infectious glee, “Before I Change My Mind” resists becoming a mere exercise in retro fetishism. Instead, writer-director Trevor Anderson wields the decade’s cultural signifiers to unmask deeper, more universal truths about the tumult of teenage-hood.
Chief among the film’s preoccupations is the wrenching struggle to establish one’s identity amid the cruel social hierarchies of high school life. Through Robin’s experiences as a queer, non-binary outsider, Anderson poignantly conveys the confusion, self-doubt, and ostracization that LGBTQ+ youth so often endure. Robin’s plight powerfully captures the anguish of having one’s humanity and self-worth constantly questioned simply for defying norms.
Yet Robin’s arc also universally speaks to every adolescent’s quest for self-actualization and belonging. The fraught, constantly shifting dynamics between Robin, the callous Carter, and kind-hearted Izzy lay bare the fickle, tenuous nature of teenage social circles and romances. These characters’ journeys authentically evoke how damaging codified societal expectations of masculinity, femininity, and conformity can become during adolescence.
Anderson presents an equally empathetic portrayal of high school bullying. While never excusing such cruelty, the film compassionately dissects the insecurities and personal anguish that often catalyze such vicious pack behavior amongst teens. Simultaneously, “Before I Change My Mind” indicts the willful ignorance and negligence of the adults who thoughtlessly perpetuate these toxic cycles.
Undergirding it all is a profound exploration of the multiplicity of human experience. The film challenges rigid, reductive categorizations, celebrating the idea that all individuals contain multitudes – that no one can be defined by convenient labels or limited social boxes. It’s a soul-nourishing reminder of our boundless potential for growth when we embrace our complexities.
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Naturalistic Brilliance From The Young Ensemble
“Before I Change My Mind” wouldn’t resonate nearly as profoundly without the awesomely talented ensemble of young actors anchoring it. These fresh-faced performers breathe such vibrant, naturalistic life into their characters, making the emotional journeys feel palpably real.
Leading the charge is Vaughan Murrae’s extraordinary turn as Robin. Murrae exudes an inimitable combination of vulnerability, confidence, curiosity, and restless introspection that immerses you in Robin’s internal struggle for self-actualization. With soulful subtlety, they navigate Robin’s hazy romantic yearnings and escalating identity crisis with devastating authenticity.
As Robin’s frenemy/crush object Carter, Dominic Lippa is magnetic. Lippa fully inhabits the complexities of the bullying alpha male archetype, imbuing Carter with layers of deeply buried hurt, toxic masculinity, and flashes of tenderness that feel startlingly real. His chemistry with Murrae catalyzes the friendship’s beautifully knotted ambiguities.
Lacey Oake is likewise wonderful as Robin’s other potential romantic interest Izzy. Oake makes Izzy much more than the standard nice-girl archetype, giving her an earthy combination of warmth and edgy charisma. Her bonding scenes with Murrae fairly glow with youthful possibility.
The supporting players shine just as brightly, with particular kudos to Jhztyn Contado’s soulful Tony and Shannon Blanchet’s tragicomic turn as a hard-partying single mom. Each actor keenly grasps their character’s specific contradictions and pain points, making them feel recognizably human.
Anderson’s rich ensemble work elevates the film, grounding the astute social satire and introspective thematic reach in profoundly relatable human experiences. It’s a masterclass in emotionally resonant character acting from the entire young cast.
Transporting 80s Time Capsule With A Modern Lens
Writer-director Trevor Anderson’s remarkable debut feature “Before I Change My Mind” instantly transports viewers into the gloriously tacky aesthetic world of late 1980s suburbia. From the opening frames, his assuredly nostalgic direction evokes a vividly realized sense of time and place that will feel bracingly familiar to anyone who came of age in that era.
Anderson’s shot compositions and production design choices revel in the decade’s penchant for garishly vibrant color palettes and patterns. The visual flourishes – whether VHS camcorder footage, Polaroid snapshots, or chintzy wood-paneled interiors – conjure a lovely atmosphere of hazy, rose-tinted reminiscence about adolescence.
However, the technical craftsmanship is no mere exercise in retro kitsch. Anderson’s nuanced camerawork and staging accentuate the poignant vulnerability simmering within each character, adopting an empathetic, nonjudgmental fascination with their everyday struggles. Intimate close-ups and uncomfortably confined frames amplify the feelings of alienation and confinement Robin and the teenagers experience trying to find themselves.
Through these subtle aesthetic choices, the nostalgic backdrop becomes a powerful metaphor for the universally messy, emotionally turbulent process of self-discovery during one’s youth. Anderson has masterfully molded the coming-of-age story into something enriching and achingly au courant despite its period trappings.
For a low-budget debut, “Before I Change My Mind” is a stunningly self-assured, gorgeously crafted nostalgia piece that still manages to feel bracingly modern in its perspective and sensitivity. Anderson’s directorial stamp is undeniable.
Graceful Tonal Shifts From Profane to Profound
One of “Before I Change My Mind’s” most impressive feats is how seamlessly it oscillates between raucous humor, poignant personal drama, and nostalgic tenderness without ever feeling tonally disjointed. This graceful balance of conflicting moods and emotional textures is a testament to Anderson’s confident hand as a storyteller.
The film’s most uproarious moments come courtesy of its wildly over-the-top centerpiece – a jaw-droppingly bonkers community theatre production of an original synth-pop rock opera about Mary Magdalene. Performed with shameless, utterly committed camp by the cast, this deliriously transgressive sequence oozes with deliciously profane irreverence aimed at puncturing cultural sacred cows.
Yet this bold burst of subversive satire exists in beautiful counterpoint with some of the film’s most delicately rendered personal moments. Scenes like Robin’s silent bedroom connection with their compassionate single father (Matthew Rankin) or a wistful moonlit heart-to-heart between Robin and Izzy exude a hushed, poetic intimacy.
Anderson’s ability to organically flow between these diametrically opposed emotional palettes – from audacious shock humor to devastating vulnerability – imbues “Before I Change My Mind” with a strikingly authentic depiction of adolescent mood swings. It’s a graceful high-wire act where profound truths about identity and belonging co-exist with anarchic comedic catharsis, mirroring the constant tug-of-war between youthful idealism and nihilistic angst. Anderson’s control of tone is truly masterful.
Insightful Invitation To Embrace One’s Multitudes
In his phenomenal debut feature “Before I Change My Mind,” writer-director Trevor Anderson has crafted an insightful, profoundly empathetic, and fabulously entertaining coming-of-age story for the ages. Anchored by the standout lead performance of Vaughan Murrae, this nostalgic yet modern exploration of adolescent identity dazzles with its subversive wit, tonal dexterity, and deeply humanistic perspective.
Transcending its vibrant period aesthetics, Anderson’s film emerges as a poignant universally resonant parable about the anguish of feeling like an outsider and the personal power that comes from embracing one’s ineffable individuality. Robin’s messy, complicated journey encapsulates the struggles with sexuality, social cliques, self-discovery, and constantly shifting senses of self that everyone experiences during youth.
While unafraid to revel in 80s-appropriate excesses like uproarious satire on religious hypocrisy, Anderson’s core mission is to celebrate the gorgeous mosaic of unique personal experiences that defy easy categorization or labeling. “Before I Change My Mind” posits that we all contain beautiful multitudes yearning to be expressed.
For these deeply humane, cathartic insights couched in such a wildly entertaining package, Anderson’s film instantly assumes its place as an indelible new classic of the coming-of-age genre. Decades from now, this richly crafted character tapestry will still resonate with audiences of all ages and backgrounds as a joyous, transgressive ode to being unabashedly, unapologetically yourself.
The Review
Before I Change My Mind
With its deft interplay of raucous humor and profound tenderness, "Before I Change My Mind" announces Trevor Anderson as a bold new voice in indie cinema. Anchored by phenomenal performances from the young ensemble, this nostalgic yet modern coming-of-age tale spinetingles with its compassionate insights into the universal growing pains of adolescence and self-discovery. Anderson's assured directorial hand renders 1980s suburban ennui both hysterically satirical and achingly human. An entertaining, transgressive, and ultimately soul-nourishing celebration of embracing one's unique identity, this is vital, vital viewing.
PROS
- Phenomenal lead performance by Vaughan Murrae as Robin
- Excellent ensemble acting from the entire young cast
- Deft tonal balancing of humor, drama, and nostalgia
- Insightful exploration of adolescent identity struggles
- Empathetic, non-judgmental perspective on queerness and gender
- Distinctive 80s period aesthetic with great production design
- Assured directorial vision from debuting filmmaker Trevor Anderson
CONS
- Some plot threads/characters could have used more development
- A few moments of on-the-nose dialogue/thematic hammering
- Ending leaves some plot lines and character arcs unresolved
