That's What I Am (Big Ginger) (2011)

6.9	Rating (61 ratings)
7	IMDB rating

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Directed by

Michael Pavone

Starring (View all)

Ed Harris
Mr. Simon

Chase Ellison
Andy Nichol

Molly Parker
Sherri Nichol

Daniel Roebuck
Jim Nichol

Randy Orton
Ed Freel

Daniel Yelsky
Norman Grunmeyer

Alexander Walters
Big G

Mia Rose Frampton
Mary Clear

Written by

Michael Pavone

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Review

10 years, 3 months ago at Oct 2 20:37

Jimmy Tancredi

I really didn’t get what was the movie trying to reach. People read a little brief of the story and think that we’re going to watch a typical movie about bullying, however the movie doesn’t really go that way.
Afterwards, towards some facts that envolve the professor, we’re taken to believe that the focus of the movie is another else. The film would go through to be centered in the p... read more

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Description: In the Book of Rites, Confucius says: "Always and in everything let there be reverence." This character quality is an essential building block of a better world. Another word for reverence is respect. The development of self-respect, which enables us to accept responsibility for our actions, is an important stage in growing up. This many splendored quality is also revealed in the ways in which we empathize and connect with others. The transformation of our private and our public lives can be enhanced by the spiritual practice of reverence or respect. That's What I Am is an emotionally affecting coming-of-age drama i In the Book of Rites, Confucius says: "Always and in everything let there be reverence." This character quality is an essential building block of a better world. Another word for reverence is respect. The development of self-respect, which enables us to accept responsibility for our actions, is an important stage in growing up. This many splendored quality is also revealed in the ways in which we empathize and connect with others. The transformation of our private and our public lives can be enhanced by the spiritual practice of reverence or respect.

That's What I Am is an emotionally affecting coming-of-age drama is set in California during the 1960s. It unfurls in the same way as The Wonder Years TV series with an adult commenting on his youthful feelings and experiences.

Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison) is a 12 year old who has barely escaped being consigned to "Geek Corner" where all the losers and outcasts of the school gather. Big G (Alexander Walters) is an orange-haired, very tall, and socially awkward teenager who is constantly ridiculed and humiliated by a gang of bullies. Although he probably could fight back, he chooses not to do so.

Andy's main mission at this stage of his young life is to kiss Mary Clear (Mia Rose Frampton), a beautiful teenager who at first seems unattainable but then tells her friends that she would like to go steady with Andy. He doesn't feel up to the challenge and repeatedly stumbles and babbles in her presence. Meanwhile his life is thrown off balance when his favorite teacher Mr. Simon (Ed Harris) teams him up with Big G on a special project. Much to Andy's surprise, they hit it off and the school's pariah turns out to both intelligent, kind, and gentle. Along with gaining a new friend, Andy also experiences his first kiss with Mary Clear, and it is wonderful.

Writer and director Mike Pavone is not satisfied with a glancing look at the virtue of reverence through Andy's quest for self-respect in his romantic relationship and through the positive feelings he has toward Big G. That's What I Am digs deeper into the subject when the principal (Amy Madigan) of the school meets with Ed Freel (Randy Orton), the bigoted and morally righteous father of one of the bullies. The boy, who has beaten a female member of Geek Corner, claims that Mr. Simon is a homosexual, and his father wants him out. The beloved teacher, standing on his principles, refuses to respond to the allegation. Andy's family is split on the issue with his mother (Molly Parker) angered by the zeal of Freel and other homophobic adults. In the end, Mr. Simon models for the student community what it means to really respect life, beauty, imagination, idealism, and tolerance. ... (more)

Release date: 29 April 2011

Tags: Bullying (3), Coming Of Age (3), Drama (3), Comedy (2), Respect (2), Tolerance (2), (2), Prejudice (2), Glbt (2), Identity (2), Friendship (2), Teachers (2), You (1), Junior High (1), Creative Process (1), SnP (1), Wwe Studios (1), Outcasts (1), Reverence (1), Sort (1)

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" 27 April. A nice little gem of a movie produced by WWE, "That's What I Am" is a period, growing up film set in your typical elementary school. A normal kid gets teamed-up for a paper report with the school's biggest geek--a tall, intelligent Alfred Newman clone, which he eventually become close friends with. It's a bit like "Stand By Me" but entirely wholesome."