''Kids in America'' is a 2005 American

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending (black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the ol ...

written and directed by

Josh Stolberg Josh Stolberg is an American film director, screenwriter, and photographer. He won the Seashore Award and the Queen Spirit Award as a director of the film '' The Life Coach''. He also wrote and directed the 2005 film ''Kids in America'', and mad ...

. The film is inspired by real events.

Plot

Inspired by real events, ''Kids In America'' is a comedy about a diverse group of high school students who band together to peacefully stand for their personal rights and dignity. Holden Donovan and his love interest, Charlotte Pratt, are fed up with Principal Donna Weller, who goes to great lengths to stop the students from enjoying their right to free expression, such as suspending Monica Rose for wearing condoms on her outfit to promote safe sex during Spirit Week and suspending Lawrence Reitzer for kissing another guy in the hallway. Meanwhile, she's running for State School Superintendent, which, if elected, will afford her the power to practice her brand of administration beyond Booker High School. Holden himself is suspended and ultimately expelled for speaking out publicly against Weller, to whom he says, "You're nothing but a politician". The students have an ally, Mr. Will Drucker, one of their teachers who encourages them to fight for their rights. He pays a price for his position and is fired by Principal Weller. He decides to use his dismissal to make a change of his own, using his new-found free time to produce a documentary chronicling the experiences of students who are faced with similar issues. Holden befriends a group of students, including

libertarian Libertarianism (from french: libertaire, "libertarian"; from la, libertas, "freedom") is a political philosophy that upholds liberty as a core value. Libertarians seek to maximize autonomy and political freedom, and minimize the state's e ...

Charlotte Pratt, voyeuristic punk-rock fan Chuck McGinn, cheerleader Katie Carmichael, Chinese-American Emily Chua, homosexual Lawrence Reitzer, African-American Walanda Jenkins, cheerleader Kelly Stepford, founder of the school's celibacy society Monica Rose, cheerleader Ashley Harris, and goth chick Dementia. Together, they engage in civil disobedience, passing out condoms and staging walk-outs, and organize the student body to take on Principal Weller and make a real change at Booker High. Due to their efforts, Weller loses the election and subsequently quits her job.

Cast

Students

* Gregory Smith as Holden Donovan *Stephanie Sherrin as Charlotte Pratt *Chris Morris as Chuck McGinn *

Caitlin Wachs Caitlin Elizabeth Wachs (pronounced ''wax''; born March 15, 1989) is an American production coordinator and actress. She appeared alongside Ally Walker and Robert Davi on the NBC television series '' Profiler'' in the role of Chloe Waters and ...

as Katie Carmichael *

Emy Coligado Emy Coligado (born June 5, 1971, in Geneva, Ohio) is an American actress known for her role as Piama Tananahaakna on the sitcom ''Malcolm in the Middle''. In 2001, Coligado landed a recurring role as Emmy, the medical examiner's assistant, on t ...

as Emily Chua *Alex Anfanger as Lawrence Reitzer *

Crystal Celeste Grant Crystal Celeste Grant (born September 20, 1980, in Houston, Texas) is a former American actress and singer. She is best known for roles in the films '' Teenage Caveman'' (2002) and ''Kids in America'' (2005). In television, she guest starred o ...

as Walanda Jenkins *

Nicole Richie Nicole Camille Richie (; born September 21, 1981) is an American television personality, fashion designer, socialite, and actress. She came to prominence after appearing in the reality television series ''The Simple Life'' (2003–2007), in whic ...

as Kelly Stepford *Rosalie Ward as Monica Rose *

Genevieve Cortese Genevieve Nicole Padalecki (née Cortese) (born January 8, 1981) is an American actress. She appeared in the television series ''Wildfire'' as Kris Furillo and had a recurring role in ''Supernatural'' as the demon Ruby. Life and career Corte ...

as Ashley Harris *Rakefet Abergel as Goth Girl *Damien Luvara as Rick Garcia *Marcella Lentz-Pope as Elizabeth Goings *Raymond Braun as Mo Williams

Faculty and staff

Julie Bowen Julie Bowen Luetkemeyer (born March 3, 1970) is an American actress. She is best known for starring as Claire Dunphy in the ABC sitcom ''Modern Family'' (2009–2020), for which she received critical acclaim and six nominations for the Primetim ...

as Principal Donna Weller *

Malik Yoba Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba (born September 17, 1967) is an American actor. He is known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J. C. Williams on the Fox police drama ''New York Undercover'' and as Yul Brenner in the film '' Cool Runnings''. ...

as Mr. Will Drucker *Andrew Shaifer as Mr. Kip Stratton *

Adam Arkin Adam Arkin (born August 19, 1956) is an American actor and director. He is known for playing the role of Aaron Shutt on '' Chicago Hope''. He has been nominated for numerous awards, including a Tony (Best Actor, 1991, ''I Hate Hamlet'') as well ...

as Mr. Ed Mumsford *

George Wendt George Robert Wendt Jr. (born October 17, 1948) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for playing Norm Peterson on the television sitcom ''Cheers'' (1982–1993), which earned him six consecutive nominations for the Primetime Emmy ...

as Coach Thompson *

Jeff Chase Jeff Chase (born Jeffrey L. Sniffen; January 17, 1968) is an American film and television actor who played for the Albany Firebirds of the Arena Football League. Chase was born in Paterson, New Jersey. Raised in Totowa, New Jersey and West Pate ...

as Asst. Coach Fasso *Leila Charles as Ms. Jane Jordan (Will Drucker's girlfriend)

Parents

Samantha Mathis Samantha Mathis (born May 12, 1970) is an American actress and trade union leader who served as the Vice President, Actors/Performers of SAG-AFTRA from 2015 to 2019. The daughter of actress Bibi Besch, Mathis made her film debut in '' Pump Up t ...

as Jennifer Rose (Monica's mother) *

Rosanna Arquette Rosanna Lisa Arquette (; born August 10, 1959) is an American actress. She was nominated for an Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie, Emmy Award for her performance in the TV film ''The Executioner's Song ( ...

as Abby Pratt (Charlotte's mother) *

Elizabeth Perkins Elizabeth Ann Perkins (born November 18, 1960) is an American actress. Her film roles have included '' About Last Night'' (1986), ''Big'' (1988), ''Avalon'' (1990), and '' He Said, She Said'' (1991), ''The Flintstones'' (1994), ''Miracle on 34th ...

as Sandra Carmichael (Katie's mother) *

Charles Shaughnessy Charles George Patrick Shaughnessy, 5th Baron Shaughnessy (born 9 February 1955) is a French actor. He is known for his roles on American television, including Shane Donovan on the soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'', and Maxwell Sheffield on th ...

as Mr. Carmichael (Katie's father) *

W. Earl Brown William Earl Brown (born September 7, 1963) is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, musician, and songwriter. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Kenneth "Kenny" Brown in the film ''Scream (1996 film), Scream'' (1996), Warren in the ...

as Boss McGinn (Chuck's father) *

Kim Coles Kim LaShaunda Coles (born January 11, 1962) is an American actress, comedian and game show host. Coles is known for her roles as a cast member on ''In Living Color'' for the first season (1990-1991) and as Synclaire James-Jones on television sitco ...

as Loretta Jenkins (Walanda's mother)

Inspiration

This film was inspired by true events. Three students in particular are interviewed at the end of the film, including: * Lanessa Riobe of Osceola High School, who was suspended for taping condoms to her shirt in order to promote safe sex, * Natalie "Nicky" Young, who was suspended for wearing a shirt proclaiming, "Barbie is a Lesbian", and * Rachel Boim, who was suspended for writing a story about a girl experiencing a violent dream.

Soundtrack

The movie contains the following songs: *"Bonnie Taylor Shakedown" -

hellogoodbye Hellogoodbye (sometimes styled as hellogoodbye) is an American pop rock band that was formed in Huntington Beach, California in 2001 by singer Forrest Kline. They were signed to Drive-Thru Records and released their first full-length album ''Zom ...

*"Freedom Ain't Free" - Crystal Celeste Grant and Steve Kim *"False Alarm" - The Hometeam *"Hands 2 tha Pump" - Da Digger *"You Are My Friend" - Brownskin *"Welcome to My World" -

Nerf Herder Nerf Herder is an American rock band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 1994 by Parry Gripp (vocals, guitar), Charlie Dennis (bass) and Steve Sherlock (drums). They describe themselves as a "geek rock" band, and are known for simplistic ...

*"Race Cars" -

Allister Allister is an American pop punk band from Chicago, Illinois. The four-piece formed in 1994 when the original band members were still in high school, and was originally named Phineas Gage. In 1998 Allister became one of the first bands to sign ...

*"Change the World" -

An Angle An Angle was an American indie rock band from Sacramento, California. At the center of this group was singer-songwriter Kris Anaya. The band signed to Drive-Thru Records in September 2004. In March 2007, the band went on a tour of the US, leadin ...

*"It Ain't Right" -

Ilona ''Ilona'' is a Hungarian female given name, the traditional name of the Queen of the Fairies in Magyar folklore. Its etymology is uncertain. A common theory is that Ilona is cognate with the Greek given name ''Helen''. Diminutive forms include ...

*"Remembering Britt" - Day at the Fair *"Sesame Smeshame" -

The Early November The Early November is an American rock band from New Jersey, United States. The group formed in 2001 and signed with Drive-Thru Records in 2002. , they have released two EPs: ''For All of This'' (2002) and '' The Acoustic EP'' (2005). They have ...

*"Anthem" - Trevor Hall *"Sunday in the Public Restroom with George" - Rand Singer, Alex Anfanger and Chris Morris *"Symphony" -

I Am the Avalanche I Am the Avalanche is an American punk rock band from Brooklyn, New York. The group's name comes from a lyric written by Vinnie Caruana for a song which was later discarded. The phrase also appears in the poem ''"Oh, Immobility, Death's Vast Ass ...

*"She Rules the School" - Daniel Cieral *"I Want You" -

James Blunt James Blunt (born James Hillier Blount; 22 February 1974) is an English singer, songwriter and musician. A former reconnaissance officer in the Life Guards regiment of the British Army, he served under NATO during the 1999 Kosovo War. After l ...

*" If You Were Here" -

Thompson Twins Thompson Twins were a British Pop music, pop band formed in 1977 in Sheffield. Initially a New wave music, new wave group, they switched to a more mainstream pop sound and achieved considerable popularity during the mid-1980s, scoring a string ...

Moving in Stereo "Moving in Stereo" is a song by the American rock band the Cars. It appeared on their first album, ''The Cars'', released in 1978. It was co-written by Ric Ocasek and the band's keyboard player Greg Hawkes, and sung by bassist Benjamin Orr. Recep ...

" -

The Cars The Cars were an American rock band formed in Boston in 1976. Emerging from the new wave scene in the late 1970s, they consisted of Ric Ocasek ( rhythm guitar), Benjamin Orr (bass guitar), Elliot Easton (lead guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards), ...

*"Exit, Emergency" -

Houston Calls Houston Calls was an American rock band, based in Rockaway, New Jersey, United States. They formed in 2003 and were signed to Rushmore Records (a subsidiary of Drive-Thru Records). On June 9, 2009, they announced their official breakup.http: ...

*"My Sleep Pattern Changed" -

*"Knights of the Island Counter" - David Melillo *"Letters to Summer" - The Track Record *"U and Left Turns" - Socratic *"Bad" -

The Bad Touch "The Bad Touch" is a song by American alternative rock band Bloodhound Gang. It was released in September 1999 as the second single from their third studio album, ''Hooray for Boobies'', which was released the following year in the United States ...

" -

The Bloodhound Gang The Bloodhound Gang was an American rap rock band from Collegeville, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1988 by rappers Jimmy Pop and Daddy Long Legs (now in Wolfpac) as a hip hop music, hip-hop group, before branching out into other genres as thei ...

*"Sydney" - Halifax *"

It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" is a song by American rock band R.E.M., which first appeared on their 1987 album, ''Document''. It was released as the album's second single in November 1987, reaching No. 69 i ...

" -

R.E.M. R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe, who were students at the University of Georgia. One of the first alternati ...

*"Somewhere on Fullerton" -

*"One More Won't Hurt" -

*"All Our Words" - Long Since Forgotten *"Summertime" - Brother Love

Reception

review aggregator A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews of products and services (such as films, books, video games, software, hardware, and cars). This system stores the reviews and uses them for purposes such as supporting a website where users ...

website

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...

the film has a score of 17% based on reviews from 36 critics, with an

average rating In ordinary language, an average is a single number taken as representative of a list of numbers, usually the sum of the numbers divided by how many numbers are in the list (the arithmetic mean). For example, the average of the numbers 2, 3, 4, 7 ...

of 4.4/10. The site's consensus states: "An awkward blend of teen comedy and social commentary, Kids in America largely fails to provoke thought or laughter".

References

External links

* * *{{Mojo title, kidsinamerica 2000s teen comedy-drama films American teen comedy-drama films Films about freedom of expression Films about rebellions Films directed by Josh Stolberg Films with screenplays by Josh Stolberg Comedy films based on actual events 2005 directorial debut films 2000s English-language films 2000s American films