There’s nothing better than being in love with someone who feels the exact same way about you, who will be there for you in good times and bad and who laughs with you and offers a shoulder to cry on when you need it. Isn’t this all that matters in a relationship? Whether you straight, gay, lesbian or bi-sexual? If people are happy then the world should be happy for them. Sadly, despite the fact we live in the 21st century, being straight is still the norm and if you don’t fit the norm, people turn their heads in a negative way. With her newest film, director Desiree Akhavan (Appropriate Behavior) shows that the gossiping, bashing and trying to fix gay, lesbian or bi-sexual people needs to stop because everyone is equal when it comes to giving love and being loved. Let love rule and the world would be so much better.

Based on the Emily M Danforth’s 2012 novel, Miseducation of Cameron Post tells the story of Cameron Post living in Montana in 1993. Just as any teenager, she’s enjoying life with her friends but she also carries a secret with her. She and best female friend Coley are madly in love and when they’re caught by her “boyfriend”, their lives are completely turned upside down. Cameron is sent to a remote gay conversion therapy centre by her religious aunt who hopes this will cure her. Arriving at the centre, both are being awaited by staff member Reverend Rick, who was cured for his gay feelings and now want to help to fix people.  As a newbie, Cameron is confronted with people who really believe that the centre will cure them and encourage her to take part in all the sessions. However, some of the “disciples” are turning themselves against the centre as well and alongside with Cameron, they are the rebels who stick with what they believe in and who they love.  One day, Cameron receives a letter from Coley that she wished she never got. Will this letter be the end for Cameron and will she give in to her “cure” or will she still fight for what she wants and who she is?

Despite the fact this is taking place in 1993, the story of Cameron Post is one that a lot of people are going through these days. With this movie, Akhavan is bringing a sensitive topic to the surface but one that needs to get more attention and this film is helping to bring it to the people again.

The heart of the Miseducation of Cameron Post is without a doubt Chloë Grace Moretz (Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, If I Stay) who’s incredible as Cameron. The emotions, the strength but also the struggles of her character are so well brought to screen without being over the top or too cliché. With this performance, we’re going to see Moretz in more adult and important roles. Alongside her, we see John Gallagher Jr. (The Newsroom, The Belko Experiment) as Reverend Rick who might be cured and is fixing people to be cured but clearly, his gay past is still part of him, despite the fact he won’t acknowledge that.  The harsh and ruthless Dr. Lydia March, the head of the centre, is being performed by the wonderful Jennifer Ehle (Detroit, A Quiet Passion).

As a cinematographer, Ashley Connor already worked on movies such as Person to Person and Tramp and with Miseducation of Cameron Post, she steps up her game again. The story has beautifully come to life. It’s a very light and colourful cinematography and with that movie becomes easy to watch without losing the importance of its topic.

If you want to see an eye-opening coming of age movie with a very important twist, then you definitely should watch this movie. The Miseducation of Cameron Post contains an incredibly vital theme and brought to the big screen by spot-on acting performances. A film you can’t ignore. 

Liselotte Vanophem, Film and Celebrity Reporter – Just Celebrity Magazine