So much average

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Many reviewers call Shelby Knox an "unlikely advocate" for comprehensive sex education since she is a Southern Baptist, but I feel that the film and its heroine are the epitome of Christian values. Shelby a Southern Baptist by faith recognizes an issue of social justice in her community. She sees that people are suffering - suffering from unwanted pregnancy and misinformation about safe-sex and sexuality. Instead of sheepishly following the beliefs of her community, she stands strong against members of her community that threaten her and her sympathizers. Without stating it explicitly, Shelby recognizes that J.C. would not usher judgment upon the sexuality of young adults in her community in the way that her community leaders do. It's clear that her defiance is spiritually based and wise beyond her years. Although she is unsuccessfully in convincing her local school board to instate a comprehensive sex education program during her high school career, I know this film will influence change in hearts and minds across the U.S.P.S. My favorite part of the movie is the fact that the ultra-conservative anti-sex ed school board member is brought down in controversy after a discovery that he had used the school computers on school time to proposition a coworker for sexual favors. I know that isn't super Christian of me to cast judgment back on him; I'm praying about it.

I saw this film at my college. The directors, and Shelby were there for a Q & A session afterward. Shelby, now a junior at UT-Austin, truly has developed into a wonderful young woman and I admire her greatly. This is a very well made documentary. Unlike some other commentators, I do not believe that the filmmakers were attacking Christianity. This is an absurd comment to make, since Shelby was in fact a devout Christian. The film makers simply interviewed the pastor, to which he responded honestly. Shelby did ask tough questions, and he gave his own answers. If he looks stupid, it is his own fault, and not the filmmakers. The beliefs of this pastor cannot be generalized to Christianity. This film was, of course, shot for a purpose. There is a problem in Lubbock, TX. They have one of the highest STD rates and the highest teen pregnancy rates in the country. It is told from a view point which advocates comprehensive sex ed and LGTB rights in schools. However, it does represent the other side. This was the purpose of the many people who were interviewed who did not advocate this movement. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the film.

Caught this inspiring and entertaining documentary at SXSW 2005 - it's a great film for teens and families to watch together.The film follows Shelby Knox, a Lubbock, TX teen, as she fights for sex education in her conservative school, and later for gay rights, while trying to stay true to her Christian beliefs and principles. Though far from a "warts-and-all" documentary, Shelby isn't always cast in a sympathetic light, and many of her peers do question her motivations and perceive her as a spotlight-grabber.What makes this film truly great is the interaction with Shelby and her conservative Christian parents - though they often disagree, their support for her and willingness to let her come to her own conclusions is truly inspiring and shows how important honest communication can be between parents and teenagers.I can certainly see why some reviewers here felt this film was anti-Christian and made a cartoon villain of the abstinence-preaching pastor. However, the pastor is actually given plenty of screen time and gives several convincing arguments on why "safe sex" can be truly unsafe, and the film doesn't try to disagree with him. In fact, the movie itself doesn't take a hard stance one way or another on the issue of sex ed, it simply follows the internal struggle within Shelby and what it takes to be a liberal Christian in today's world.Overall, this film was one of the favorites of many people I talked to at the SXSW Film Festival, and deservedly so.

Saw it at Sundance. Loved Shelby's passion. Was amazed at conservative parents support. I also got to meet Shelby... She is now eighteen and in college she is still fighting for what she believes in.When Shelby and her parents were introduced they got a standing ovation! You could tell she had grownup she handle the crowds questions and press like a pro.Hope this movie is seen by many. Honest and Correct education of any kind should not be suppressed. In my career we call it LUCK ...Laboring under correct knowledge !!!If Shelby runs for president in 2030 I'll vote for her !!!!