Rather like 1999’s But I’m A Cheerleader, The Miseducation Of Cameron Post takes the non-conformist spirit of One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest and transplants it to a ‘conversion therapy’ summer camp. But, in the hands of Iranian-American second-time director Desiree Akhavan (adapting Emily M. Danforth’s novel of the same name), this is a far gentler, more thoughtful take on the wrongs of this horrible, dogma-driven practice, and its impact on kids who are just trying to grow up being true to their own feelings.
The focus rests squarely on [Chloë Grace Moretz](empireonline chloe grace moretz), someone we’re more used to seeing play hellraisers and rule-breakers — and of course one, particularly profane, deadly child vigilante in Kick-Ass. But her Cameron is comparatively meek, a young woman who initially seems accepting of her fate, and carries her defiance quietly. Not directly kicking against her guitar-strumming Christian incarcerators, rather keeping her head down as best she can and trying to get through this creepily abusive and absurd situation, where every night’s sleep is interrupted by a flashlight-waving intrusion. She is less a teenage Randle McMurphy than a conversion camp Andy Dufresne: as strong as she appears soft.
Akhavan’s avoidance of melodrama is laudable, but the story never quite lifts off.
It’s a tender and touching performance, complemented well by supporting players Sasha Lane and Forrest Goodluck as Cameron’s new friends, both as cynical about the camp’s battle against “SSA” (same-sex attraction) as she is. As the camp’s director, Jennifer Ehle provides an appropriate Nurse Ratched figure, cold and unshakeable in her faith, icily delivering anti-inspirational lines like, “I hope you use this time to examine the way you respond to discomfort,” and, “There’s no hiding from God.”
While Akhavan’s avoidance of melodrama is laudable, the story never quite lifts off, and your frustration with the mistreatment of Cameron and co might not get vented in the way you’d hope. As you think the narrative’s going to crescendo, it rather abruptly ends. Not clumsily, just a little unsatisfyingly.
Despite this, the film remains a warmly affecting coming-of-age story which ultimately focuses on the positives of Cameron’s situation and highlights the irony that God’s Promise, rather than divinely shooing away her bisexuality, has enforced her faith in herself by bringing her together with like-hearted kids her own age.
