Britt

While I don’t find this film has anything new to say, what sets it apart from others is its painstakingly realistic depiction. With stories like this, even from the victim’s perspective, there tends to be a glamorized depiction of the grooming — and not in a way where it’s always being endorsed but from a lens that *this* is how the victim would be seeing it. ***Palm Trees and Power Lines*** manages to center the vulnerable party while keeping a distance from their romanticized perspective. From the casting to Tom’s grooming 101 dialogue, not much heavy lifting is needed for the audience to recognize, the danger that’s latched onto Lea. Dack utilizes the camera as a witness, and never allows for a moment of relief, making the final scene all that more of a gut punch. As a fan of Baker’s [***Red Rocket***](https://boxd.it/sGpi), I’ve seen many comparisons to it but that story stops before Strawberry is forced past her boundaries — not only do we see Lea confronted with this but worst of all, we see just how efficient and seamless Tom’s grooming has played out. It’s not a film I’ll ever watch again, but for what it set out to accomplish, it soared.

The two leads had realistic chemistry and the scene of them helping each other with their dating profile pics had me smiling from ear to ear, but that set up something that felt singular, as if we were exploring a newly open couple in a positive light, but not really. I think I’m just a bit fatigued by these stories always presenting non-monogamy as a band-aid. Also, those braids would’ve frizzed up in less than a week with the way there was no scarf or bonnet in sight. I did enjoy the cast though, best thing about it.

I liked the tone, felt fresh in a way i genuinely had no idea how it would end. It’s at its funniest when it’s subtle — the principal having a picture of him between Nelson Mandela and MLK Jr. — comedy gold! It sets itself up to have something interesting to say but in the end, settles for just a trivial ride though.

I’m [***The Monkey***](https://boxd.it/Gwiu)’s #1 fan so the closing monologue didn’t do much for me, in fact I found its writing too didactic. The first half, however, is where it shines. Setting such a story in high school, targeting seniors and releasing it in 2020 was pitch perfect timing. It validates the unique nihilism permeating younger generations, while pushing back on it, in a non-cheesy way. It’s top heavy, dulling itself in its third act but the first half along with the graveyard scene makes for a fresh coming-of-age story worth a watch. *SPOILER: sigh of relief, the black best friend didn’t die but she definitely got sidelined to the point, the writing at the top of how close they are seems futile.*