As Cool as I Am (2013)

As Cool as I Am Poster

A smart teenage girl comes of age in a small town with her self-centered parents who had her when they were teenagers.

Introduction
"As Cool as I Am" is a 2013 American comedy-drama movie directed by Max Mayer and based upon a novel by Pete Fromm. It stars Sarah Bolger, Thomas Mann, and Claire Danes. The storyline mainly revolves around a small-town teen who navigates through the intricacies of her parents' struggling marital relationship, developing friendships, and her own blossoming sexuality.

Plot Summary
The movie opens with the intro of Lucy Diamond (Sarah Bolger), a small-town teenager girl, and her friend, Kenny (Thomas Mann). Lucy's mom, Lainee (Claire Danes), had Lucy when she was simply 17, and she's cognizant of the fact that Lucy is nearly the age she was when she got pregnant. The family's dynamics are made complex by Lucy's daddy, played by James Marsden, who works as a logger and is typically away from home. This situation triggers predicaments in the household structure and puts a stress on her moms and dads' marital relationship, ultimately amplifying emotional stress in their relationship.

The plot delves into the coming-of-age journey of Lucy. She ends up being mindful of her blossoming sexuality in the middle of her having a hard time parent's failing relationship. Simultaneously, she faces the characteristics of her friendship with Kenny, which starts to develop into something more intimate, creating additional challenges for the teenager to navigate through. Torn in between her loyalty to her moms and dads and her growth into womanhood, Lucy displays tremendous resilience and utilizes humor as a defense mechanism to cope with her challenges.

Character Developments and Story Progression
Throughout the motion picture, Lucy's character is shown to be mature beyond her years, providing a strong support system to her mom in particular. Despite her young age, Lucy stands as a pillar of psychological strength and displays an understanding mindset towards her mother's progressively careless behavior due to her collapsing marital relationship. Parallelly, Lucy's relationship with her youth friend Kenny becomes progressively complex, an element that adds to the depth of her character.

Conclusion and Message
The movie is a compelling expedition of teenage development and the obstacles associated with it. It showcases the trials and adversities Lucy endures while discovering her identity amidst her unsteady family situation, her brand-new sexual experiences, and evolving relationships. The narrative leading edges the teen girl's determination and her growing maturity in facing these life difficulties. "As Cool as I Am" is therefore an entertaining yet poignant tribute to the battles of teenage years, reminding audiences of the enduring spirit of youth and the courage to conquer difficulties. The film conveys the message that everybody, despite age, faces their own set of challenges, making life a detailed journey of constant learning and self-discovery.

Top Cast

  • Sarah Bolger (small)
    Sarah Bolger
    Lucy Diamond
  • Thomas Mann (small)
    Thomas Mann
    Kenny Crauder
  • James Marsden (small)
    James Marsden
    Chuck Diamond
  • Claire Danes (small)
    Claire Danes
    Lainee Diamond
  • Seth Adkins (small)
    Seth Adkins
    Scott Booker
  • Jeremy Sisto (small)
    Jeremy Sisto
    Guy Karlsburg
  • Jon Tenney (small)
    Jon Tenney
    Bob
  • Anika Noni Rose (small)
    Anika Noni Rose
    Frances
  • Rhys Coiro (small)
    Rhys Coiro
    Ron
  • Will Peltz (small)
    Will Peltz
    Tim
  • Mario Batali (small)
    Mario Batali
    Self