Love That Boy

Love That Boy is a charming Canadian coming-of-age romantic comedy film from 2003. The film that stars Nadia Litz, Nikki Barnett, Adrien Dixon, and directed by Andrea Dorfman, is a delightful mix of quirky characters, awkward romance, and the perils and pleasures of self-discovery.

The film revolves around the life of Phoebe (portrayed by Nadia Litz), a socially awkward but brilliant 14-year-old student whose life revolves around her academics and her little world that comprises her parents, her teachers, and her love for her sociology textbook. Her life takes an unexpected twist when she realizes her crush on the resident heartthrob and classmate, Robyn (played by Nikki Barnett). However, her feelings for Robyn are unlike those of other girls; she considers this infatuation as a sociological experiment.

Phoebe’s character is anything but ordinary. She already has a plan for her future- to become the youngest student ever to be accepted to a university. Such high aspirations lead her to expedite her high school completion, skipping grades in the process. She possesses a mature, intellectual demeanor that makes her stand apart from her peers. Her socially awkward disposition is mirrored in her unique approach to love and life; an approach driven by logic, reason, and sociology.

Enter Frazer (Adrien Dixon), a 24-year-old man-child who's an underachiever and the exact opposite of Phoebe in many ways. Frazer, who is also Phoebe’s brother best friend, is the kind of person who believes in living life to the fullest without worrying about the future. Despite his laid back attitude, there is an undeniable charm to his chilling attitude towards life that makes him the perfect foil to Phoebe's high-strung, straitlaced personality.

When Phoebe’s crush on Frazer gets leaked in front of Frazer himself, it results in a hilarious but endearing situation, leading to a blooming relationship between the two. This is where the movie takes a charming turn as Andrea Dorfman beautifully depicts their unconventional relationship, highlighting their fun banter, escalating emotions, and peculiar predicaments. Frazer, with his carefree outlook towards life, muddles through to help Phoebe navigate the strange world of teenage romance and helps her realise that life cannot and should not always be planned.

Love That Boy explores the ups and downs, the thrilling and daunting aspects of a teenager's life as they navigate through the complexities of first love. It's about confronting societal roles and expectations, about not fitting into the prescribed categories, and about finding one's identity and accepting oneself with all the quirks and peculiarities. From Phoebe’s point of view, everything in life is to be planned and executed methodically, however, falling in Love with Frazer she realizes that life is more than sociology and predefined pathways.

Meanwhile, the performances by the actors are praise-worthy. Nadia Litz delivers a captivating performance, successfully bringing out the eccentricities and vulnerabilities of Phoebe's character. Her portrayal of the quirky, intelligent, and awkwardly sweet Phoebe is truly the highlight of the movie. Adrien Dixon, as the easy-going and charming Frazer, complements her, creating screen chemistry that is equally awkward yet heartwarming.

Love That Boy challenges mainstream perceptions about love, adulthood, and personal growth. It proves to be a breath of fresh air for its unique character and plot development, coupled with strong performances by the lead actors. The film is a must-watch for lovers of Indie cinema and for those who seek something different from the typical love stories. It teaches viewers to embrace the unpredictability of life and not to fear the messiness and complications that come with it.

Director Andrea Dorfman’s understanding of a subtle, sweet, and clever coming-of-age tale offers viewers a look into the complicated, confusing, and wonderfully chaotic world of teenage love. Love That Boy successfully juggles comedy and drama to produce a story that is not just endearing, but also thought-provoking. It's a reminder that life and love are unpredictable, and that's what makes them truly beautiful.