If nothing else, it's nice to have a reminder that American teens are not all like the self-absorbed, materialistic monsters on MTV's "The Hills" and "My Sweet 16."
But "American Teen" is actually pretty good -- like a time-capsule of today's American adolescents that somehow seems timeless. Well, except for all the texting.
It depicts high school not as a democracy, but as a caste system, ruled by the most attractive and socially adept. Filmmaker Nanette Burstein follows a few seniors in a small Indiana town who, amazingly, become comfortable enough with the camera in front of them that they forget it's there, or treat it like a diary.
At the top, there's queen bee Megan, who lords her domination over the high school caste system like a blond Genghis Khan -- but is secretly fearful that she'll disappoint her father by not getting into Notre Dame. There's Colin, a basketball star and genuinely nice guy whose father -- an Elvis impersonator -- informs him that an elusive scholarship is the only way they can afford college.
At the other end of the spectrum is the awkward marching band geek, Jake, who sums up his predicament thusly -- "I love the ladies, but they don't love me." He's a harmless, likable loser who attempts to bond with a crush by saying things like, "We have a lot in common. We both suck at life," and cracks up at the grease stains his pimply forehead leaves on the table.
And, of course, there is the rebellious free spirit Hannah, who chafes at the conservative values and rigid hierarchy of her school and longs to study film in California.
Burstein isn't judgmental; the camera captures the kids doing plenty of things they later regret. Although each kid begins as a cliched "type" straight out of "The Breakfast Club," they all become fairly complex characters as we get to know them. Even the odious Megan.
The film is fast-paced, funny and extremely entertaining, which makes one wonder -- how can some of this not be staged⢠Did Burstein and her crew really ride along with Megan as she vandalizes a prom committee rival's homeâ¢
• At Squirrel Hill Theater Additional Information:
'American Teen'
'American Teen' Rated PG-13 for language, sexual material, some drinking and smoking 
(out of four)
