Disney has been using their subsidiary studios such as Searchlight Pictures to release more unconventional films lately. From See How They Run to Vacation Friends, it appears that Searchlight Pictures has a focus on tackling more creative risks. Sometimes they pay off, like with The Boogeyman, and sometimes they do fall flat with films such as Amsterdam. These are the kind of films you can see living on the streaming service for years to come but sadly forgotten by time, and that kind of encapsulates the main focus of Disney and Searchlight Pictures latest film, Theatre Camp.
Theatre Camp is a film that does what it says on the tin, so to speak. The story revolves around a summer camp in America where kids and teenagers who love the dramatic arts have a way to vent their artistic desires with others who are willing to do the same. The focus on the story isn’t the children however, with only one or two standing out in the film, but instead it is on the adults who run the camp. Sadly, with the founder of the camp in a coma, Joan Rubinsky played by Amy Sedaris, the camp falls into the hands of Joan’s son Troy for the upcoming summer. Sadly Troy doesn’t know a lot about theatre but he does understand business, even though he messes that up too. He’s not the smartest adult in the world, and then there is Amos and Rebecca-Diane, played by Ben Platt and Molly Gordon, who are essentially the heart and soul of the group as they come up with the plays and music that the camp must rehearse for the final night. The subject of which is the founder of the group with an original play in the works with "Joan, Still". What ensues are some technical hijinks, sabotage from a rival camp and lots of fits and tantrums.
Theatre Camp doesn’t seem to hold its own very well, there are some interesting characters but their arcs are very meander and don’t go through their journeys in a way that you’d expect. The script however is very cleverly written and there are a lot of jokes and physical humour in the film which does put a smile on your face. Sadly that’s where the positives end. The film is made in a mockumentary format, so it looks and feels like a real place with a real group of people. Sadly this tone goes a bit haywire with some characters going a little over the top in places and people forgetting that this is meant to be in the style of a documentary. This format does help to boost the film's humour in certain parts, but it also kinda distracts you from the story.
Theatre Camp is a film made for theatre lovers, and especially for the adults who are now grown up and love to reminisce about their theatrical childhoods. The film is very grainy and sepia-toned, which helps create a nostalgic look which further reinforces this notion. Children will gain some laughs and fun out of the story, but it appears the film prefers to keep the focus on the adults, so sadly kids may not be able to follow the story through. The characters do end up progressing a little bit throughout the film, but they don’t really learn much from their experiences at Theatre Camp. It appears the film embodies the experience of camp very well in that regard - it is a fleeting experience and one you will remember every so often.
★★★☆☆
3/5
Final Verdict:
Theatre Camp is a fun story for all the family. Anyone who knows about bringing an amateur production to life can relate to the characters, despite the American nature of the story. The themes of togetherness and developing friendships are universal and the characters are very cleverly and sharply written to portray these themes. It is a fun ensemble cast led by some veterans of the stage such as Ben Platt. Sadly though the story whimpers and doesn’t expand too much on its promises. The ending is full of laughs, but not every song will play on your mind when the credits begin to roll.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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