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Kansas City's Online Journal of the Performing Arts

Terri is a quiet little piece with some well-timed laughs delivered with deadpan quality, yet it’s the dramatic elements which elevate it to a level of excellence rarely seen in teen angst films.

Terri (Jacob Wysocki) is an overweight, depressed 15-year-old who cares little for school and is burdened by the responsibility of caring for his mentally ailing Uncle James (Creed Bratton, TV’s The Office). Only a pretty blonde classmate named Heather (Olivia Crocicchia, TV’s Rescue Me) keeps him coming back, but his longing for her just increases his misery.

Constant teasing about his weight and propensity to wear pajamas to school erode Terri’s self-esteem. With his grades in decline, the assistant principal, Mr. Fitzgerald (John C. Reilly, Step Brothers, The Aviator), pulls him into his office where he deems Terri to be a good-hearted kid.

Mr. Fitzgerald, who’s having his own problems at home, begins weekly counseling sessions with Terri to try to help him regain his sense of self-worth. However, Terri is incensed when he discovers that he’s not the only “monster” Mr. Fitzgerald is seeing on a weekly basis.

The great thing about Terri is that its climax isn’t neatly tied up with a big red bow. There isn’t a singular, overachieving accomplishment in which our protagonist is carried off a field in celebration or is suddenly the most popular kid in school. Terri keeps it simple and real. The pacing, although a little sluggish in the beginning, is fairly consistent throughout and its humorous moments are played with perfect timing.

Reilly, whose deadpan delivery is equaled in comedy only by Will Farrell, is terrific as an administrator who cares deeply about the school kids, even if he yells at them with extreme indignation. His chemistry with Wysocki is solid, which makes their characters’ unique friendship believable. For his part, Wysocki gives Terri a genuine sadness.

Bratton is a nice surprise with his turn as a man who one day is lost and hurling insults, while the next he is able to think clear as day. It’s a tragic state of affairs, but Bratton pulls it off with a certain touch of grace.

Terri is a teen classic and, thus far, one of the best films of year.

On a letter grade scale from “A” being excellent to “F” for failing, Terri receives an A-.

Terri is rated R and has a running time of 105 minutes.

Now showing through September 1 @
Tivoli Cinemas
Westport Manor Square
4050 Pennsylvania, KCMO
Visit www.tivolikc.com or call 913-383-7756 for more information.

By Michael D. Smith

Indie Film Editor

Michael D. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts in history at College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri followed by a Master of Arts in history at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Inspired by such critics as Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, Michael started reviewing films in 1992 for College of the Ozarks's student-run newspaper. After returning to the Kansas City area in 1994, he continued film reviewing by writing for the Cass County Democrat Missourian in Harrisonville.

In 2000 Michael joined Sun Publications in Overland Park, Kansas where he served as its film critic and Arts and Entertainment Editor. During his tenure there, he was also the film critic for the "Fine Arts Radio Hour" and "Celebrity Scoop" radio shows on KXTR. After leaving the Sun in late 2002, he became the A&E writer for the Olathe News in Olathe, Kansas. He also worked as a freelance writer for The Squire in Leawood, Showcase Publishing in Lake Ozark, Missouri and the Kansas City Star.

Michael is currently a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, a professional film critic organization established in 1966 by the late Dr. James Loutzenhiser.