Struck by Lightning (2012)

A young man recounts the way he blackmailed his fellow classmates into contributing to his literary magazine.

Director:

Brian Dannelly

Writer:

Chris Colfer

Stars:

Rebel Wilson, Chris Colfer, Dermot Mulroney

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rebel Wilson	...	Malerie Baggs
Chris Colfer	...	Carson Phillips
Allison Janney	...	Sheryl Phillips
Scott Bailey	...	Officer Murray
Donna Ann Ward	...	Officer #2 (as DonnaAnn Ward)
Amy Nabors	...	Reporter
Benjamin Byram	...	Singer #1
Jonathan Byram	...	Singer #2
Frank Noel	...	Pastor
Luke Lewis	...	Youngest Carson
Jenny Herrick	...	First Grade Teacher
Dermot Mulroney	...	Neal Phillips
Polly Bergen	...	Grandma
Adam Kolkin	...	Young Carson
Jay Malone	...	Algebra Teacher

Storyline

A high school boy desperate to escape the idiocy of the people in his hometown trys to create a way in which he can move to New York, attend the college of his dreams and do something other than live in the foot steps of his drunken, divorced mother. Along the way he blackmails his fellow students into contributing to his literary magazine and discovers what its like to feel accomplished. Does he get accepted into the college of his dreams? Is he going to make a difference and follow his life goal?

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Plot Keywords:

blackmail | high school | struck by lightning | mother son relationship | grandmother grandson relationship | 

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Taglines:

A personal raincloud can be deadly...

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

11 January 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Struck

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$12,940 (USA) (11 January 2013)

Gross:

$22,930 (USA) (11 January 2013)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Permut Presentations, Camellia Entertainment, Evil Media Empire

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rebel Wilson was cast the day before filming began. Casting director, Michael V. Nicolo, had a dream about her in the role of Malerie and she came in to audition the next day.

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Quotes

Carson Phillips: At what grade do we stop believing in ourselves? At what grade do we stop believing, period? I mean, someone has to be a Nobel Peace Prize winner, someone has to be ballerina. Why not us? I can't be the only one who gets that.

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Connections

Referenced in Conan: What Happens in Vegas Is Typically Pretty Sad (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Riding My Unicorn Through the Sunset"
Written and performed by Loren Gold (ASCAP) and James Renard (BMI)

User Reviews

random story but great

This movie will touch those who feel a bit lost in life. The movie began with Chris Colfer's character being killed by lightning, and it may have been the most random and unlikely event to take place realistically and you will feel sceptical about how this will all play out during the movie but by the end of it, re-watching this scene is extremely sad.

Yes, it is a high school movie, bringing in all the clichéd cliques and stereotypes but never in a cheesy manner. All characters play a minor role but ultimately this is Chris Colfer's movie. He plays a great, passionate and driven kid and this only makes his fate more sad. Rebel Wilson does a fun job in playing the odd girl who perhaps is the only person who truly likes Chris' character, Carson.

There is a focus on Carson's relationship with his mother an alcoholic and depressed women, who was left by Carson's father during their marriage. Without saying much it is quite emotional towards the end. It is a great movie, sending a strong message on ambition, future, life and friendship. Watch it, but be warned, it is not a cheesy high school movie, nor will it leave you in a uplifted but emotional state as in the Perks of Being a Wallflower.

"It doesn't matter if you're stuck in the past or if you're trying to forget the past; what matters is what you do with the present"- Struck by Lightning.