"Keith" (2008)

Natalie (Elisabeth Harnois) is a beautiful over-achiever, set to graduate high school and attend Duke on a tennis scholarship. She thinks she knows exactly what she wants in life.

Raff (Ignacio Serricchio) is the new student who captures Natalie's attention in the first act. It appears that it's more than a crush. He's traveled abroad, comes from a well-to-do family, and is handsome. He has to be all this so the audience will believe that the girl who knows what she is doing could be taken by him so quickly.

Keith (Jesse McCartney) is quirky. Sticks out a bit in his yellow truck. Headstrong in all his interactions and projects a confidence that in high school usually belongs to the jocks. Oh...and good looking. He has to be in order for him to come between Natalie and Raff. But, there's a lot more to the Natalie/Keith storyline than meets the eye.

The slow evolution of Natalie and the influence that Keith has in that change is what "Keith" is all about. Her awakening from linear thinking and goal-minded/singular path to appreciating relaxed moments and silly adventures. Or, repairing a yellow truck.

The chemistry between Jesse McCartney and Elisabeth Harnois is a big part of why this movie is so good. Early in the film Natalie confronts Keith asking him, "Who the hell do you think you are?" He retorts with a smile, "Who the hell do you think I am?" It was in this exchange that I was hooked.

The writing is strong. But, with the wrong casting, it would have lost a lot of value. I was much surprised to learn the little blond singer was one and the same as the actor, now with dark hair and a talent in front of the camera beyond his now rugged good looks and seriously interesting face.

One of the things I appreciated most about "Keith" was that the language used was true to life teen verbiage. Too often, films (particularly those about teens) use frequent coarse language. For me, it gets in the way of the story telling. Here, writers David Zabel and Todd Kessler (who also directed) allow them normal cursing and used only one "F" bomb. Most importantly was that there was a purpose to it's use. Poignantly placed at a time that they wanted us to be deeply bothered.

Well played movie with the cast rounded out by Michael O'keefe ("Caddyshack", "Roseanne") who has a small, important role.