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Miss Stevens
Miss Stevens is finally hitting video on demand this week and audiences should definitely give this one a watch. The story of Miss Stevens is one of a high school English teacher who is taking her students yo a drama competition. Miss Stevens played by Lily Rabe, is just barely holding her own life together and is also struggling to help her students through some of their own dramas as well. Lily Rabe gives a stellar performance in this film. There is so much emotion and depth that she brings to her character it is easy to see why she gained such high praise at this year's SXSW premiere of the film. Watching her character navigate the delicate balance of being not only chaperone to these kids but also friend/confidant and therapist to these kids while not crossing the line that is the student/teacher relationship is awkward and tough at times. It is also an interesting look at how you can want so badly to help people, but struggle because you can't seem to help yourself.
Miss Stevens herself is not a perfect character. She is flawed due to her past growing up with her actor mom, she has an affair with a married man and is literally killing the mini bar in her hotel room probably more than the average person does (mostly because that is way too expensive). She is fighting to keep her most volatile student Billy (Timothée Chalamet) at bay since it appears he has also developed a huge crush on her. Thankfully though this film doesn't allow itself to be turned into another silly cliché. Director Julia Hart has navigated some of the more delicate subject matter carefully to bring us a comical and uplifting coming of age tale that doesn't follow the typical script we have come so used to seeing and it's refreshing. It is interesting to see characters behave as adults when they don't really feel quite like put-together adults themselves.
While Miss Stevens may not be everyone's cup of tea, we definitely think it is worthy of watching at least once. As we have said before Rabe's performance alone makes this one a very special and worthwhile experience.
Miss Stevens hits video on demand and all digital platforms on September the 20th!
- HFF Ray