First thing, there are several types of homeschooled people, and yes.... People like Liam exist which is why this movie was hilarious for me to watch. I was homeschooled for a little bit of time, and let me telllll youuuu! The awkwardness of overprotective mothers is totally real and creepy! Come on, prom with mom? Yes ssss. Anyways, for those who know people who were homeschooled and fit the description of those in the movie...and or was homeschooled and are normal, You'll understand. :)
22 Reviews
I had a good time watching it.
Hellmant14 September 2018
'ADVENTURES IN PUBLIC SCHOOL': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
A teen comedy about a socially awkward home-schooled teenager that enters public school for the first time, against his mother's wishes, in order to pursue a young woman he falls for. The film was directed by Kyle Rideout, and written by Rideout and Josh Epstein. The movie stars Daniel Doheny and Judy Greer, and it was released by Netflix through it's streaming site. I found the film to be funny and amusing enough. It's definitely nothing fresh or especially memorable, but I had a good time watching it still.
A teen comedy about a socially awkward home-schooled teenager that enters public school for the first time, against his mother's wishes, in order to pursue a young woman he falls for. The film was directed by Kyle Rideout, and written by Rideout and Josh Epstein. The movie stars Daniel Doheny and Judy Greer, and it was released by Netflix through it's streaming site. I found the film to be funny and amusing enough. It's definitely nothing fresh or especially memorable, but I had a good time watching it still.
quirky
SnoopyStyle19 July 2019
Claire (Judy Greer) is the overprotective single mom of teenager Liam Heap (Daniel Doheny). She is dismissive of public high schools and has been homeschooling Liam everything including sex. He is book smart and headed for Cambridge to study Astrophysics following his hero Stephen Hawking. MacKenzie (Grace Park) is a fellow homeschool mom and Autumn is her even weirder daughter. The kids are at the local high school to take the Graduation Equivalency Exam. Liam falls for public school student, the one-legged Anastasia (Siobhan Williams) and deliberately tanks his test. He pushes his way to be a temporary student taking over sick Maria Sanchez's schedule. Everyone starts calling him Maria. Claire sees this as teenage rebellion and decides to teach it as part of his curriculum.
This is quirky and sometimes funny. Judy Greer is one of the best comedic actresses around. Daniel Doheny is a nice lead but he looks way too good. If anything, this needs more quirkiness. He needs to look nerdier. In general, the whole movie needs more. I love the premise but it needs to shoot for Napoleon Dynamite. There is plenty of potential of achieving that. There is a shocking surreal moment with a fetal pig well into the movie. It needs to do more and earlier or not at all. Either inanimate objects talk to him or they don't. For the students, Siobhan is a great ingenue but the others are lacking. It would have been great if Autumn joined Liam to attend high school. The gay friend needs to be more friend and less annoying. The bully needs to be more buff and younger. He looks like a 80s porn star with a 70s stach. Also, there is a general use of 80s motif like an old computer and an old family car which creates an odd feel in the modern world. The off-centre camera style is also part of that. The lighting is too bright at the school. The editing needs to be sharper and quicker to add pace and quirkiness to the style. It needs to be tighter which would shorten the under ninety minutes running time. The movie needs a few more stories and that's why I would love some more from Autumn. Quite frankly, MacKenzie is fun at the party and the movie needs more of her. There are many very good parts and this works on the whole.
This is quirky and sometimes funny. Judy Greer is one of the best comedic actresses around. Daniel Doheny is a nice lead but he looks way too good. If anything, this needs more quirkiness. He needs to look nerdier. In general, the whole movie needs more. I love the premise but it needs to shoot for Napoleon Dynamite. There is plenty of potential of achieving that. There is a shocking surreal moment with a fetal pig well into the movie. It needs to do more and earlier or not at all. Either inanimate objects talk to him or they don't. For the students, Siobhan is a great ingenue but the others are lacking. It would have been great if Autumn joined Liam to attend high school. The gay friend needs to be more friend and less annoying. The bully needs to be more buff and younger. He looks like a 80s porn star with a 70s stach. Also, there is a general use of 80s motif like an old computer and an old family car which creates an odd feel in the modern world. The off-centre camera style is also part of that. The lighting is too bright at the school. The editing needs to be sharper and quicker to add pace and quirkiness to the style. It needs to be tighter which would shorten the under ninety minutes running time. The movie needs a few more stories and that's why I would love some more from Autumn. Quite frankly, MacKenzie is fun at the party and the movie needs more of her. There are many very good parts and this works on the whole.
Lovely little comedy
alex-125029 April 2018
Judy Greer is a star. It would've been a decent teenage movie but she took it to another level and it's really enjoyable to watch. The humor is cute throughout and I laughed out loud a couple of times.
Can't remember the last time it happened.
Feels empty
datorsiers225 August 2018
The premise is quite decent for a teen high school comedy, but it does not really go anywhere since the main character is far too stubborn to do anything and the movie just feels quite cringy with a lack of character, also the producers have decided to go with a really small pool of actors for this film, which is rather weird for a movie like this.
Well, i could not say it was absolutely boring, the movie had its funny moments, which where quite enjoyable, hence my rating is not as low as you would expect from what i have mentioned above. Acting wise Daniel Doheny and Judy Greer did an alright job in this movie, Judy Greer was in her usually vibe of her character ''Kitty Sanchez'' From back when she starred in ''Arrested Development''
This movie is just plain and mediocre, nothing to remember about this movie, it will disappear from your memory within days, i can bet soon after writing this review i will not remember what the movie was about, since it really is not anything outstanding. By the way, this flick only has 10 user reviews on imdb, most of them being fake good ratings, so do not fall for those reviews of throw-away imdb accounts consisting of only 1 review and 0 other activities.
Well, i could not say it was absolutely boring, the movie had its funny moments, which where quite enjoyable, hence my rating is not as low as you would expect from what i have mentioned above. Acting wise Daniel Doheny and Judy Greer did an alright job in this movie, Judy Greer was in her usually vibe of her character ''Kitty Sanchez'' From back when she starred in ''Arrested Development''
This movie is just plain and mediocre, nothing to remember about this movie, it will disappear from your memory within days, i can bet soon after writing this review i will not remember what the movie was about, since it really is not anything outstanding. By the way, this flick only has 10 user reviews on imdb, most of them being fake good ratings, so do not fall for those reviews of throw-away imdb accounts consisting of only 1 review and 0 other activities.
Badmovie, good soundtrack
trudithnjudith22 November 2020
You may like this if you like irrationally absurdist comedies. I feel it was just trying too hard to be funny. It could have worked with quirky characters but instead everything was pushed beyond farce which deprived the movie of real emotion. With a plot that hinges on personal growth, you need real emotion. Check out the good soundtrack though!
Bizarre and banal
Octavio8913 September 2019
The film is a nonsensical take on homeschooling with a good dash of the Oedipal complex (often portrayed in North American films) and features an overbearing, wanton, and abusive mother as she desperately tries to control her son and make him a man. The film is not funny and almost every directorial choice is wrong. Nebbish stuff.
quirky, creative, sweet and funny
dave-mcclain30 April 2018
"Adventures in Public School" (NR, 1:26) is a comedy from two guys who've spent most of their movie careers as actors and have only recently started working the other side of the camera - Kyle Rideout, who directs and, along with Josh Epstein, co-wrote the screenplay. (Each did the same for 2015's "Eadweard".) This movie was originally titled "Public Schooled" which seems a more fitting title. It's about a high school senior who was always home-schooled, but decides that, before he heads off to college, he wants to spend time in public school - and he really gets "schooled". (See what I mean?)
Daniel Doheny plays Liam, an extremely intelligent, but socially awkward young man. For what seems to be the entirety of his young life (the father's absence never being explained), Liam's mother (Judy Greer) has been his only teacher - and only friend - and they both seem perfectly happy with that - proud of it, even. Then, in a classic case of doesn't-know-what-he's-missing, when Liam goes to the local high school to take the exam he needs for his graduation certificate, he looks around at the school and all the students and decides he wants to finish his education there - but mostly so he can pursue the pretty Anastasia (Siobhan Williams). He intentionally fails his exam, giving him an excuse to enroll in the school.
The story's fairly formulaic, but not stale, in that it displays its own quirky charm. Liam makes mistakes, doesn't talk like most high schoolers and is atypically open and honest for his age group. The scenes of him adjusting to high school aren't laugh-out-loud hilarious, but they are cute, sweet and not uncomfortably awkward. For her part, Liam's mom, who was initially horrified that her son wanted to go to public school, soon gets with the program. Having taught Liam everything else so far, she helps him figure out how to make his rebellious phase as productive as possible and gets personally involved in this new world that's opening up to him. Meanwhile, Liam's socially awkward principal (Andrew McNee) is trying to date Liam's mom, and grandma (Maxine Miller) adorably observes events from the sidelines.
"Adventures in Public School" isn't a typical fish-out-of-water comedy. Liam's challenges never get too serious and his social awkwardness is nicely underplayed. Doheny brings his limited acting resume but considerable charm to the lead role. Rideout has the courage not to make him a stereotypical nerdy kid and the skill to make Liam sweet and adorable - not just because he's socially awkward, but also in spite of it. More experienced actors might've done a better job with some of the roles, but it's the fresh faces in the cast which account for much of this film's appeal. The same could be said of the lack of experience of the filmmakers vs. their fresh approach to the sub-genre of high school comedy. All things considered, it's this combination of elements that works well and makes for such a quirky, fun, feel-good movie. "A-"
Daniel Doheny plays Liam, an extremely intelligent, but socially awkward young man. For what seems to be the entirety of his young life (the father's absence never being explained), Liam's mother (Judy Greer) has been his only teacher - and only friend - and they both seem perfectly happy with that - proud of it, even. Then, in a classic case of doesn't-know-what-he's-missing, when Liam goes to the local high school to take the exam he needs for his graduation certificate, he looks around at the school and all the students and decides he wants to finish his education there - but mostly so he can pursue the pretty Anastasia (Siobhan Williams). He intentionally fails his exam, giving him an excuse to enroll in the school.
The story's fairly formulaic, but not stale, in that it displays its own quirky charm. Liam makes mistakes, doesn't talk like most high schoolers and is atypically open and honest for his age group. The scenes of him adjusting to high school aren't laugh-out-loud hilarious, but they are cute, sweet and not uncomfortably awkward. For her part, Liam's mom, who was initially horrified that her son wanted to go to public school, soon gets with the program. Having taught Liam everything else so far, she helps him figure out how to make his rebellious phase as productive as possible and gets personally involved in this new world that's opening up to him. Meanwhile, Liam's socially awkward principal (Andrew McNee) is trying to date Liam's mom, and grandma (Maxine Miller) adorably observes events from the sidelines.
"Adventures in Public School" isn't a typical fish-out-of-water comedy. Liam's challenges never get too serious and his social awkwardness is nicely underplayed. Doheny brings his limited acting resume but considerable charm to the lead role. Rideout has the courage not to make him a stereotypical nerdy kid and the skill to make Liam sweet and adorable - not just because he's socially awkward, but also in spite of it. More experienced actors might've done a better job with some of the roles, but it's the fresh faces in the cast which account for much of this film's appeal. The same could be said of the lack of experience of the filmmakers vs. their fresh approach to the sub-genre of high school comedy. All things considered, it's this combination of elements that works well and makes for such a quirky, fun, feel-good movie. "A-"
Adults playing at being kids
mac13921 June 2021
Canadian film makers can usually be depended on for a whole pile more reality when it comes to
Kids/teen movies. Disney has ruined entertainment for and about these demographics, but we could usually look north for relief from their drivel.
This is one glaring exception.
Good writing can only get you so far, and the writing of this one is admittedly pretty good.... it is a funny film.
However, casting a 27 year old adult in the lead as a high school student.... hugely prevalent with Disney.... has me moving on to something else instantly. At what point did Casting think anyone would be convinced....27, really?
It actually all feels more than a bit creepy.
This is one glaring exception.
Good writing can only get you so far, and the writing of this one is admittedly pretty good.... it is a funny film.
However, casting a 27 year old adult in the lead as a high school student.... hugely prevalent with Disney.... has me moving on to something else instantly. At what point did Casting think anyone would be convinced....27, really?
It actually all feels more than a bit creepy.
A light hearted but somewhat disturbing high school comedy
Gordon-1111 August 2018
This film tells the story of a very protective mother who home schools her son. Her son decides to meet friends by going to a public school.
Though the film is fun and light hearted, the idea of having such a protective and controlling mother really disturbs me. Judy Greer does a good job as the mother, and Daniel Doheny is great as a shy young man. Overall, if the mother is less freakishly and disturbingly controlling, I would have liked it more.
Though the film is fun and light hearted, the idea of having such a protective and controlling mother really disturbs me. Judy Greer does a good job as the mother, and Daniel Doheny is great as a shy young man. Overall, if the mother is less freakishly and disturbingly controlling, I would have liked it more.
I laughed a few times but didn't finish the movie
gibbiv12 May 2018
Three stars for three laughs and for how the movie sheds light on how terrible of an idea homeschooling is. It seems to ruin kids, like how this movie ruined an hour of my life. I decided to take my dog for a walk instead of watching the editing with the one-legged girl character who had a plastic personality, not just a plastic limb. I didn't feel anything here, just that fleeting laugh that comes from a bad attempt to try to "get something" from a movie that has little to get from.
A big waster of time and electricity
rdtaxes-131 August 2018
I literally regret every minute of this movie as it's one of the WORST movies ever made. The story is horrible and lifeless. I still don't know what the point of this movie was aside from the fact the teenage boy was babied until his Senior year. Another liberal Hollywood movie trying to shove a complete moralless liberal agenda down our throats. A mom and her son getting high and getting drunk. Also, out of the blue, for now reason whatsoever, the main character says to the girl of his dreams "you women have less opportunities than men and paid less" and "white men have way more opportunities". Don't waste your time with this movie, you will regret it. A Complete Waste of Time and of my electricity
Liberal agendas
SeamonkeyUK27 August 2018
Yes, High School was that Awkward
david_stever28 April 2018
Huh! Not good. But addressing Liberal Agenda.
ZoWillow27 August 2018
This is NOT a good movie. Very uncomfortable and really with not much happening. However, I watched it all the way through because one person on here reviewed it with a liberal agenda referring to white privilege as a highlight and I am interested in society in this way. So I watched all intense when the one black character appeared to get a sense of what he was talking about. And I watched when the Asians characters appeared. Or the Hispanic ones. huh! Nothing. Then.... dun dun dun... the horrible mother tells her son he has white privilege because she is uncomfortable with his independence. Wow! That is a stretch. hahaha.... interesting.
Amusing high school comedy
chong_an13 January 2018
This is a story of the relationships between Liam, a teen genius, Claire, his smothering mother / homeschool teacher / best friend infinity, and Anastasia, the girl of his desire. While at a high school to write his high school equivalency exams, he spies Anastasia, and deliberately fails in order to force his mother to let him attend public school.
Raised in a social bubble, Liam has trouble navigating school and taking advantage of opportunities with Anastasia. Meanwhile, Claire tries to keep Liam from drifting away by teaching him how to be a rebellious teen.
The characters are well-written, if somewhat over-the-top. One oddity is that the director uses a 1990s vibe, even if the teens busily text each other, while friendless Liam has not attempted to find online friends either.
Raised in a social bubble, Liam has trouble navigating school and taking advantage of opportunities with Anastasia. Meanwhile, Claire tries to keep Liam from drifting away by teaching him how to be a rebellious teen.
The characters are well-written, if somewhat over-the-top. One oddity is that the director uses a 1990s vibe, even if the teens busily text each other, while friendless Liam has not attempted to find online friends either.
Surprisingly enjoyable and refreshing.
macdonrj24 June 2018
Coming of age high school movies are a well worn staple of the movie industry. Some are great (The Breakfast Club), others are not so much (Ladybird - great acting, but little new or fresh).
This film is funny, different, fresh, and interesting. The home schooled kid and his relationship with his mom are unlike anything else. The cliches of such movies are avoided, and in their place is just a pretty neat story. It won't win any Academy Awards, but is a great show to watch. Enjoy.
This film is funny, different, fresh, and interesting. The home schooled kid and his relationship with his mom are unlike anything else. The cliches of such movies are avoided, and in their place is just a pretty neat story. It won't win any Academy Awards, but is a great show to watch. Enjoy.
Hysterical
unconsciousmother17 August 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This film was just a brilliant piss take of the way society portrays homeschooled kids. It took the fairly stereotypical notion that homeschooled kids are socially awkward and don't know anything worldly and life is always a 'teachable moment' and ran with it. It was OTT and hysterical. In fact all the characters were great. His mom was cringingly, shockingly and funnily overstepping boundaries all over the place. You could still see and feel the underlying love and connection though. His principal was OTT inappropriate and I loved his no filter but it fitted with the obvious satire of the whole film and I just found it funnier and more ludicrous.
The more she tried to 'teach' him the crazier it became, from blazing up in the school car park of all places, leaving him with a condom in the dark and timing him, to taking him to some random party to experience college parties.
The whole film was just great and funny and ridiculous!!
Thoroughly enjoyable and not an accurate depiction of homeschooling at all. Reminded me of Wanderlust a bit with its piss take of hippies!!
The more she tried to 'teach' him the crazier it became, from blazing up in the school car park of all places, leaving him with a condom in the dark and timing him, to taking him to some random party to experience college parties.
The whole film was just great and funny and ridiculous!!
Thoroughly enjoyable and not an accurate depiction of homeschooling at all. Reminded me of Wanderlust a bit with its piss take of hippies!!
A sweet and awkward movie with some cringeworthy moments
faeriedreamer17 August 2018
I liked seeing a mom and son friendship on film. I never have seen one as caring like this before. As he grows the mom grows too as his need to change causes her to. I felt so bad for the main character at times through some of the painful awkwardness and cringed at some of the mother son moments that showed his innocence and social immaturity. I liked this movie and found the main character to be quite endearing at times and the mother often charming and her intentions were good for the most part.
Ftw. This movie is the shiznit
adamwolf-4818126 August 2018
I haven't laughed this hard in a very long time
cwolterhall21 April 2021
I signed up just to retort the ridiculous person who called this film "Bizarre and Banal," that the mother is abusive, and even manages to wedge the Oedipus Complex in here.
Really? WOW! I would like every Baby Boomer Mom to know how fantastically funny this film is. I mean from the moment it starts right until the end. In fact, I went out of my way to tape it, to watch it over and over again.
I don't laugh. I've lost my zest for life. This is the creepiest, weirdest generation there ever was. I know I'm not alone in my thinking. There are just too many other mothers who feel exactly as I do.
So when I say I outright belly laughed from beginning to end, this is a totally hilarious movie. I don't know where they found "Liam" played by Daniel Doheny. He completely cracked me up. His expressions are just priceless. His Mom Judy Greer as Claire: "Pretend I'm Anastasia. What do I smell like?" Liam: "You smell like my mom."
The only other person who made me laugh as much was scene stealer, "Harley," played by John Krasinki in "It's Complicated" starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin & the incomparable Steve Martin.
I suppose the critic here calling the movie bizarre and banal doesn't think "Two Wild & Crazy Guys" is funny either. WOW! And abusive? Roflmyao!
All I can say is that we Boomers truly had fun, and we knew what pure comedy was when it didn't need 4-letter words. We may have not been politically correct, but we had a great passion for life, and I do believe that since we're still the pig in the python, our opinions still count. So, attention all boomer moms. If you would like a good laugh, I highly recommend watching this movie. I haven't laughed aloud like this in a long time.
Really? WOW! I would like every Baby Boomer Mom to know how fantastically funny this film is. I mean from the moment it starts right until the end. In fact, I went out of my way to tape it, to watch it over and over again.
I don't laugh. I've lost my zest for life. This is the creepiest, weirdest generation there ever was. I know I'm not alone in my thinking. There are just too many other mothers who feel exactly as I do.
So when I say I outright belly laughed from beginning to end, this is a totally hilarious movie. I don't know where they found "Liam" played by Daniel Doheny. He completely cracked me up. His expressions are just priceless. His Mom Judy Greer as Claire: "Pretend I'm Anastasia. What do I smell like?" Liam: "You smell like my mom."
The only other person who made me laugh as much was scene stealer, "Harley," played by John Krasinki in "It's Complicated" starring Meryl Streep, Alec Baldwin & the incomparable Steve Martin.
I suppose the critic here calling the movie bizarre and banal doesn't think "Two Wild & Crazy Guys" is funny either. WOW! And abusive? Roflmyao!
All I can say is that we Boomers truly had fun, and we knew what pure comedy was when it didn't need 4-letter words. We may have not been politically correct, but we had a great passion for life, and I do believe that since we're still the pig in the python, our opinions still count. So, attention all boomer moms. If you would like a good laugh, I highly recommend watching this movie. I haven't laughed aloud like this in a long time.
Up the blues
robbielol4 October 2018
Something different, definently worth watching. I could elaborate, but you really should just see it for yourself. Something different, definently worth watching. I could elaborate, but you really should just see it for yourself................
Something different, definently worth watching. I could elaborate, but you really should just see it for yourself.
Something different, definently worth watching. I could elaborate, but you really should just see it for
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