Showing @ Cineworld, Edinburgh, Fri 28 & Sun 30 Jun

Brian Dannelly / USA / 2012 / 84 mins

Chris Colfer is most famous as Glee‘s gay icon, Kurt Hummel. But what is perhaps less well known is that Colfer is also a best-selling author and was once voted one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people. Struck by Lightning is Colfer’s feature debut both as writer and actor. Cynical viewers could say that the role of vituperative student Carson Philips is not a vast departure from Kurt Hummel – both talented teen outcasts whose social status is hopelessly misaligned with their ambition. But to dismiss this film as a cynical Glee cash-in would be a huge disservice to Colfer, and could lead one to miss out on one of the best teen films in years.

The acerbic Colfer and Rebel Wilson as his loyal but awkward sidekick Malerie both deliver laugh-out-loud performances. The supporting ably carry off a script as rich in pathos as it is in sarcasm. Alison Janney is wonderfully affecting as Carson’s single mother, a woman whose dreams have long since abandoned her and Christina Hendricks delivers an unusually understated performance in a small, but crucial role. Struck by Lightning may be set in the realms of high school but it is a reminder of just how wise – and universal – a teen movie can be in the right hands.

Showing as part of the Edinburgh International Film Festival 2013