Starring: Lola Tash, Charlie Carrick, Krista Bridges, Rob Stewart.
Molly Maxwell follows a 16 year old high school student as she chooses photography as an elective. With this elective, comes her teacher Ben Carter (Charlie Carrck). The two become close and we see their, frowned upon, relationship grow.
At first, I disliked this film. I thought "oh, this is a typical indie film" what with the lighting, the acting, the settings and the script. The beginning seemed very predictive and immature but then this film morphed into an amazingly shot, coloured and directed film. Whilst the script didn't win me over entirely, I did end up feeling very engaged and engrossed to the story and characters as a whole.
Although, this film in a way glorifies and glamorises an adult/teacher relationship and one could argue peadophilia (although the student was of legal age), the direction of this film makes you kind of fall in love with it. Who hasn't dreamt of falling in love and having a secret relationship with their teacher? Whilst I obviously don't agree with the teachers actions, I do feel as though the film captures the daydream that a student (and/or teacher) has. And that is the best way to describe this movie, like a daydream.
Whilst the cinematography in this film was lovely, there was nothing overly spectacular about it. When watching the scenes, the settings and locations stood out to me most. The fairground, the school, the teachers apartment, the bars where they played gigs... it was very well located and designed and only added to the reverie imagery.
I also liked how in the end song 'Hand Grenade' that the teacher sings about Molly, they incorporated all of the scenes in the lyrics. I feel like this really tied the movie together and showed us how much the relationship must've meant to him.
When I look back at this film, one scene in particular stands out. It's the scene that's made me watch this film repeatedly for like a good week or so. It's the scene where Molly strips down to her underwear and Ben (the teacher) just hugs her as the she puts her head under his shirt and kisses her head whilst Bon Iver - Skinny Love plays. It's 100% the most romantic yet completely innocent scenes I have ever watched and I think about it a lot.
I also liked how in the end song 'Hand Grenade' that the teacher sings about Molly, they incorporated all of the scenes in the lyrics. I feel like this really tied the movie together and showed us how much the relationship must've meant to him.
When I look back at this film, one scene in particular stands out. It's the scene that's made me watch this film repeatedly for like a good week or so. It's the scene where Molly strips down to her underwear and Ben (the teacher) just hugs her as the she puts her head under his shirt and kisses her head whilst Bon Iver - Skinny Love plays. It's 100% the most romantic yet completely innocent scenes I have ever watched and I think about it a lot.
Everything about this film was like the imagination in your teenage head, of your dream life scenario. You study at a super-cool, laid-back art school. You and your friends do acid at lame parties. You come from a wealthy family, with an edgy, music company owning, father. Study photography, where your very good looking british teacher (who is also a musician) falls in love with you and you get to secretly hang out and cuddle at his hipster apartment. All set to an alternative Spotify soundtrack and VSCO Cam filter.
So if that is your kind of jam or are fond of films like those from Sofia Coppola, then Molly Maxwell is indeed the perfect film for you.
Personally, I loved this film but that's merely because I am a sucker for a young adult independant film. Take away the typical soundtrack, filters and scenery and you don't have much left but I guess that is what most films are like these days, just look at Palo Alto. This doesn't mean it's a bad film though, not all films need to have great stories to be great films.
Personally, I loved this film but that's merely because I am a sucker for a young adult independant film. Take away the typical soundtrack, filters and scenery and you don't have much left but I guess that is what most films are like these days, just look at Palo Alto. This doesn't mean it's a bad film though, not all films need to have great stories to be great films.
(A lot of Sofia Coppola references, well two, no hate)
