Rent Memories of a Teenager (2019)

Clever and engaging teen drama - Memories of a Teenager review by MD

Slow burner that packs a real mental health punch ?? at the end after starting in a breezy and attractive manner . Good performances from the young cast. Well worth a punt.

So-so soapy teen melodrama set amongst Argentinian teens in 2004-5. - Memories of a Teenager review by PV

So-so soapy teen melodrama film with an uneven tone - comic coming-to-terms coming-of-age drama, with the usual teenage themes. But it is flimsy stuff.

Some darkness here but the ending (no spoilers) I felt did not fit with the character, I felt, or his story. It seems calculated. The gay themes in such a Catholic country also lacked credibility, especially the sportsman theme. Again, it feels calculated BUT then a writer needs a plot and obstacles and jeopardy in his story.

And remember this focused on Argentina's upper class really, not those in the slums, and not black Argentinians at all (for them, watch football).

Based on a book as the cover of the DVD says - no doubt a hit in Argentina. True story? Hmmm. There were a lot of books like this a few years back - I read two, 1 from an Italian writer and 1 French. Each looked back on teenage years. Each was written by a privileged son of someone who worked in publishing in their countries.

Maybe this will resonate more with a teen audience, 15+?

3 stars