บท 15: Ch-14

Saturday morning, 14th of November 1998, I was anxiously waiting for the newspaper to come out as it would be the day that the first reviews of [Sex-ed] would come out.

I was still staying with the Spaders' because Steve and Kathy were off to New York for interviews and promotion. From there they would go to Chicago and then back home. It would be two hectic days for them as they had to finish the publicity by Sunday morning.

"Stop pacing, Troy," Melinda called out to me and I realized that I was indeed pacing in their living room. "Everything will be fine. People will love your movie. I'm sure of that."

She patted my back comfortingly and led me to the couch guiding me to sit. I followed because it would be the polite thing to do. If I was a normal kid like Evan, I'd be sleeping my ass off at this ungodly hour, but I was too worked up to sleep in.

"It's here!" A loud voice came from the foyer. A moment later John entered the living room with three newspapers in his hands, "The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and the L.A. Times."

John handed me the New York Times while he unrolled the WSJ and passed the last one to Melinda.

I skipped directly to the entertainment section and leafed through the reviews of the day. And that's where I found it.

"Sex Education: A wonderful, veritable and touching tale of childhood."

By Michael Lawson

I was relieved and somewhat happy reading that headline. Now that my initial worries were assuaged somewhat, I decided to read the full article.

"...non-linear narrative makes the tone of the story light and upbeat…"

"...marvelous performance from the three leads…"

"...newcomer Troy Armitage blows everyone else out of the waters…"

I went back to the last line and reread the whole thing.

'Director Steve Kloves has created a fast-paced and well-crafted script with plenty of humor and relatable moments for everyone. Not for a moment, would the film seem to lag. A major noteworthy thing is the casting. The film showcases marvelous performances from the three leads in the characters of Mark (Troy Armitage), Jenny (Michelle Williams), and Dylan (James Franco).

Newcomer Troy Armitage (9), blows everyone else out of the waters with the sheer brilliance of his nuanced performance. Through the course of the story, his character goes through several emotions, from playful to angry, from lonely to depressed, and every time he makes us fall in love with him again and again. Such a subtle and profound performance is unheard of for someone to achieve at such a young age.

Michelle Williams, (Dawson's Creek fame), exudes a charm through her sheer presence that you wish to know more about her character. James Franco, another newcomer, plays the second male lead with his boyish charms and devilish grin to turn the tables on you at any moment. Both Williams and Franco acted well but couldn't match up to Troy Armitage…'

I skipped through the rest to jump at the end of the article, where the review score was mentioned and I was shocked to see it.

'Score: 9.5/10'

"Woah!" I let out unconsciously after reading the whole article.

"Done with your paper?" John asked me to which I raised my paper to him and we switched.

This time it was the WSJ review.

"Sex Education: Will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between."

By Patty Travers

I read through the review and I couldn't contain my smile as I read quite a similar account of what I had read in the NYT.

"It is always said that all the great films go to the theaters and the average ones are acquired for direct TV Broadcast. While it is mostly true, there are those rare gems on TV that not only entertain but also leave an indelible mark on the audience. [Sex Education] is unequivocally one of those gems. Directed with finesse and sensitivity by Steve Kloves, this film transcends the ordinary, delving into the complexities of human relationships with a refreshing blend of humor, heart, and honesty.

At the forefront of this masterpiece is Troy Armitage, a revelation in his portrayal of the protagonist. With each frame, Armitage proves himself to be a new superstar in the making, commanding the screen with an effortless charisma and emotional depth that is simply mesmerizing. His portrayal of Mark is nothing short of captivating, drawing audiences into the character's world with an authenticity that is truly commendable.

Michelle Williams and James Franco shine in their respective roles, but at the end of the film, one cannot help but think back about the little boy who carries the whole film on his capable shoulders brilliantly. Troy's screen presence is very powerful, anchoring the film with a magnetic energy that keeps viewers riveted from start to finish. His nuanced performance not only elicits laughter and tears but also fosters a profound connection with the audience, making [Sex Education] an unforgettable viewing experience.

But it's not just the stellar performances that elevate [Sex Education] to greatness. The film itself is a masterpiece, a poignant exploration of love, friendship, and self-discovery that resonates long after the credits roll. From its masterful direction to its compelling storytelling, every aspect of this film is executed with precision and passion.

The narrative unfolds with a perfect balance of humor and heart, navigating the complexities of adolescence and sexuality with sensitivity and grace. Through its richly drawn characters and thought-provoking themes, [Sex Education] transcends mere entertainment, offering profound insights into the human condition. The climax is a powerful one, capable of rendering even the coldest person emotional. The only major complaint is that this film will not be released in theaters and will miss out on all the Oscar buzz.

In conclusion, Sex Education is not just a film, but a tour de force that demands to be seen. Its masterful direction, compelling storytelling, and perfect performances make it a must-see for teenagers and adults alike. Prepare to laugh, cry, and everything in between, for this is filmmaking at its finest."

I checked out the score at the end and my smile got even bigger.

"Score: 10/10"

Lastly, I took over the L.A. Times edition from Melinda and read the article which wasn't singing as much praise as the other critics.

"Sex Education: A Promising Performance Amidst Controversy"

-By Brian Keller

"[Sex Education] is a film that undeniably showcases exceptional talent, particularly in the form of its lead actor, Troy Armitage. Directed with skill and sensitivity by Steve Kloves, the film delves into themes of adolescence and sexuality with a raw honesty that is both commendable and controversial.

At the heart of this cinematic journey is Troy Armitage, whose performance as the young protagonist is nothing short of remarkable. Despite his tender age, Armitage displays maturity and depth beyond his years, captivating audiences with his portrayal of Mark. His talent shines through in every scene, commanding attention and empathy in equal measure. Michelle Williams and James Franco also hold their own grounds with their young cast mate.

However, it must be acknowledged that [Sex Education] is not without its flaws. The premise of the film centered around a 9-year-old protagonist navigating issues of sexuality has raised eyebrows and sparked debate among viewers and critics alike. While the film handles these sensitive themes with a degree of maturity and nuance, there are legitimate concerns about the potential impact on both the child actor and the audience.

Indeed, the decision to cast a young actor in such a role is not without its risks. While Armitage delivers a performance that is beyond reproach, one cannot help but wonder about the long-term effects of portraying such mature subject matter at such a young age. It raises questions about the responsibility of filmmakers and the industry as a whole in safeguarding the well-being of child actors.

Furthermore, there are valid concerns about the potential psychological impact on viewers, particularly young audiences. While the film's intentions may be noble in its exploration of important issues, there is a fine line between provocation and exploitation that [Sex Education] tiptoes upon.

In conclusion, [Sex Education] is a film that undeniably showcases exceptional talent, particularly from the actors. It is a thought-provoking work that sparks important conversations, but one that ultimately leaves lingering questions about the ethics of storytelling in cinema."

I didn't like the fact that the review wasn't glowing, but at least they praised my performance, so it kind of redeemed itself. The score given below was also on the positive side.

Which was: 7/10

That makes an average score of 8.8 from three major publications.

Not bad.

"Celebrations are in order, love," John called out to Melinda when he saw that I was done reading the last paper.

"Yes! Why don't we go out to that nice little Mexican restaurant you were telling me about yesterday." Mel replied and rubbed my head.

"Better yet," John chipped in. "Why don't we go to Universal Studios? Evan has been wanting to go for such a long time."

I shook my head, "You guys don't have to do that. It's just the critics, we don't know how the public will react to it. And there is still the whole controversy about my age as pointed out here in LA Times, so people could hate it as well…"

I stopped in my ramblings when John bonked me on my head.

"Will you stop that?" He asked rhetorically. "The movie is good and people will like it. If they don't, it won't matter much because it is only your first role and you're young. When you grow up you'll have more opportunities. So don't think too much about it and enjoy the fact that critics loved your performance."

I could only nod in acquiescence, knowing that he was right. I am thinking about the future prospects where, as far as I know, a movie like [Sex-ed] didn't even exist in my past life. My presence gave Steve the idea and caused such a big change in the timeline that a whole new movie was created.

I had thought that if I were doing a movie as an actor, I would know the future viability of the project in terms of commercial and critical success. But such couldn't be the case with [Sex-ed]. The best project would be one that combines both of them like Titanic, Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, or something like that. But the thing is, I won't know about the future of a movie until I have either seen the original source material or the movie itself in my past life.

Even the people I meet can only trigger memories when I recognize them. For example, I recognized James Franco from the very first look but the same wasn't true for Michelle Williams. When we first met, she only gave me her first name. It was only later on when I read her full name on the call sheet that I remembered her.

Similarly, I don't know if Steve Kloves was some small-time writer-director in his past life because I only recognize big-name directors like Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and the like. Maybe in my past life, I didn't have much appreciation for a director's work.

However, the big thing was that I was fucked. Kind of. If I don't know any other directors' future accomplishments, I cannot approach them with a specific role in my mind.

I guess I'll have to work like any other actor then. Cross my fingers, hoping that the movie will do well.

"What's all this ruckus about?" Evan walked into the room while rubbing his eyes sleepily. He must have just gotten up.

"The reviews are out," Melinda announced excitedly. "And they are rave."

Evan looked from his parents to me before asking, "Rave means good, right?"

I chuckled, "Yes, it means the best reviews."

"Cool," He sat on the kitchen table. "So what's for breakfast."

"Blueberry pancakes, your favorite," John announced.

As he got busy making pancakes, Melinda turned to her son, "You don't wanna congratulate Troy?"

"But he had already received good reviews at Sundance," Evan pointed out. "It's the same film, only longer, right?"

When he put it like that… It was true. Why was I even waiting for the reviews?

Melinda shook her head at Evan's naivety, "That's a little insensitive of you, Evan. Would you like me to be indifferent next time you get good grades in school because of your last performance?"

"No," Evan confessed and I could see a bit of shame on his face as he turned to me. "Congrats, bro. It's good that your film is a hit."

"It's not a hit, at least not yet," I said. At his confused expression, I went on to explain how a film can be a 'hit' with the critics without it being a 'hit' with the audience. After all, what's a great film if no one watches it?

"Here you go kiddos," John announced while placing a pancake each in front of Evan and me. "Get started, I'll bring more."

And just like that, the day went back to normal. Seeing John make surprisingly delicious pancakes was an almost surreal experience when I knew for a fact that he had a super busy schedule, and barely had any time for Evan.

In contrast, there was Steve. He had to rarely spend any time away from home for work, because he could just write a script directly from our living room, or his study. Of the two, if I had to select a profession, I would gladly select Steve's. While John was probably making a ton of money, what was the point if you could not spend some time with your family regularly?

"Is it not good?" John broke me out of my musings, only to realize that I had stopped eating.

"No, it's great," I said while taking another bite. "Just thinking about the film."

"Don't," He insisted. "Enjoy your breakfast. I have the day off, and I would love to take you and Evan to Universal Studios as we discussed."

"We're going to the Universal Studios!?" Evan shrieked excitedly as all his lethargy vanished in an instant. "Yes! Dad, you're the best!"

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AN: I need some help. I'm terrible at creating AI images or searching for other people's images. And while I prefer to not create an image at all so the readers can assume Troy to be anyone, so many people have asked me about it that I'm putting it here. If you can generate any images of an older Troy, teenager or adult, please post them here. I'll even accept other actors' images who fit the profile. Thanks in advance!

Also powerstones!