Brainpower & Popularity: Eshaan M Reviews 'Popular Theory
2With compelling performances and a story emphasizing brains over social status, Popular Theory is both a heartfelt story of friendship and innovation that young viewers will love.
Erwin (Sophia Reid-Gantzert), a young genius named for Nobel Prize–winning physicist Erwin Schrödinger, is the youngest student in high school and a bona fide loner. She enjoys spending time on her own doing complex science experiments so much that her aunt and father, who raise her, grow concerned and place a science plan on her. But when she meets fellow genius Winston (Lincoln Lambert), they team up to evade the ban and invent a pheromone that threatens to upset the natural order of high school.
Lincoln Lambert and Sophia Reid-Gantzert’s dynamic is my favorite part of Popular Theory. At a young age, both actors seem to have mastered the art of owning their character, whether it's the micro-gestures of disgust, awe, sadness and hypochondria that Lambert portrays as Winston or Reid-Gantzert’s comfort being Erwin. It’s truly a delight to see them interact on screen as they transition from rivals to “colleagues,” to friends, and as forces push and pull them apart. I’m a Lincoln Lambert fan, having spoken to him about his film Language Arts and having discussed his creative process. But I have to admit that Reid-Gantzert steals the show. That’s largely because the screenwriters (Ali Scher and Joe Swanson) have crafted a teen movie that, thankfully, doesn’t turn into a rom-com halfway through. Too often is the archetype of the wannabe teenage girl eager to change herself exploited. Yes, there’s an element of that trope in the film, both in Erwin’s character and in Erwin’s sister, Ari (Chloe East). But Erwin always stays true to who she is and takes pride in her status as a genius without coming across as too egotistical — a good role model for young viewers. On another note, the dynamic in Erwin’s home reminds one a bit of Matilda, with her aunt and father looking at her as some freak-of-nature genius. Some comical and unexpectedly sentimental moments come from Aunt Tammy (Cheryl Hines), who’s an eccentric hairstylist. Erwin’s father, Arthur (Marc Evan Jackson), stricken by the grief of losing his wife, feels a little like a prop character mainly because of a lack of screen time. He isn’t given much to work with in terms of dialogue or emoting. One wonders how the film would be affected if Erwin was just raised by her aunt. The direction and production quality are other highlights. The few moments dragging the film down are wooden performances by secondary characters, but those are overshadowed by the strength and integrity of the plot.
Popular Theory shows how dangerous instantaneous popularity can be and comments on the ethics of using technology for personal and social benefit. Making change through friendship and positivity can make the high school experience and life better in more ways than one.
I give Popular Theory 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18. Popular Theory released in theaters on February 9, 2024. https://youtu.be/wvf4NZYfPds
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