Director Michael Goldbach in attendance - Q&A will follow the screening

14A - Advisories: Sexually Suggestive Scenes.

Caroline Wexler (Kat Dennings, DEFENDOR) may seem like your typical disaffected teen, but drop her in a dead-end town and she quickly transforms into a one-girl teenage riot. Stifled by classmates whose dreams are limited to prom dates and binge drinking, Caroline decides to shake things up by hooking up with her teacher (Josh Lucas) and toying with the affections of local pothead Thurston (Reece Thompson). Naturally, the situation soon spirals out of Caroline’s control, forcing her to question her own motivations.

Unafraid to take on the dark side of high school life, DAYDREAM NATION’s brand of dark comedy is more HEATHERS than HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, done with a small-town twist. First-time director Michael Goldbach wisely avoids the typical portrait of idyllic small town living —sex, drugs and class warfare all come into play, and the teenagers aren’t the only ones who let their hormones get the better of them. Anchored by Dennings’ acerbic performance, DAYDREAM NATION is a sharp, funny take on adolescent angst and frustration.

PH