Sundance London: The Miseducation of Cameron Post

The Miseducation of Cameron Post
Directed by Desiree Akhavan
Starring Chloë Grace Moretz, Marin Ireland, Jennifer Ehle, Quinn Shephard, John Gallagher Jr. and Sasha Lane

by Joanna Orland

Cameron Post (Moretz) is an average teenage girl whose world is turned upside down after she’s caught in the backseat of a car with her female friend on prom night. Swiftly shipped off to Christian gay conversion camp ‘God’s Promise’, Cameron finds herself surrounded by other teens “struggling with same-sex attraction”. The Miseducation of Cameron Post and her peers unfolds in this humourous and meaningful coming-of-age drama.

While set in America in the 1990’s, this film could easily have been set in modern day as homophobia and misconceptions still run rife in today’s American society. Especially with a Vice President such as Mike Pence, who reportedly supports Gay Conversion Therapy. Exploring the subject matter with a natural sense of humour was a genius approach by director Desiree Akhavan as the humour derives from the situation, never belittling it, never mocking it, and never distracting from how real this is for teens who find themselves in such therapy.

The camaraderie of the teens at God’s Promise is a highlight of the film, as a group of outsiders and outcasts find companionship and commonality through their plights. Chloë Grace Moretz gives her best performance to date as Cameron Post, with an ensemble of teenagers each bringing something unique to the story. The admirable Jennifer Ehle as Dr. Lydia Marsh is both terrifying and hilarious. Her seriousness is intimidating, her ignorance spellbinding and devastating. While gay conversion therapy and its deep Christian roots are nothing to laugh about, the absurdity of it is overpowering.

While the social commentary is plentiful, it is the coming-of-age tale at its core that makes The Miseducation of Cameron Post so wonderful. Imagine if a John Hughes film had some actual substance and social relevance outside of its own pop culture bubble, and you have The Miseducation of Cameron Post. A movie for teenagers and adults alike who struggle with their identities and accepting themselves for who they are. The Miseducation of Cameron Post is a film to empower all of the outsiders and outcasts who have yet to find their place in this world.