Camp (2003) Movie Information:

Camp (2003) Directed by: Todd Graff Camp (2003) Written by: Todd Graff Camp (2003) Cast: Don Dixon, Joanna Chilcoat, Vince Rimoldi, Robin de Jesus, Anna Kendrick, Alana Allen, Sasha Allen, Tiffany Taylor, Steven Cutts, Daniel Letterle

Camp (2003) U.S. Distributor: IFC Films Camp (2003) U.K. Distributor: Not available at this time

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Camp (2003) Synopsis:

When the kids on a packed bus heading to the country are belting Sondheim tunes, you know Camp Ovation is different. It is a place where talented young people can get away from their everyday lives and be themselves without apologies. Long summer days at Camp Ovation are ripe with life lessons, romance, fast friendships, jealousies, and a trunk full of backstage antics. As the summer kicks off, the campers eagerly await the arrival of the Broadway-legend-turned-washout Bert Hanley and also make the shocking discovery that there is an honest-to-goodness straight boy in the bunch.

Camp (2003) Movie Review:

After writing one hit musical and never been able to recapture that same inspiration Bert Hanley (Dixon) has taken a job at Camp Ovation, an entertainment summer school for teenagers. Vlad (Letterle) was the middle child of five brothers who longed to be noticed and he saw acting as his way of doing that. Ellen (Chilcoat) has absolutely no confidence until she takes to the stage. Michael went to his junior prom in a dress and has escaped to camp after receiving both physical and mental beatings from his schoolmates and family. All of them see the summer camp as their chance to change and start again.

The musical is making a comeback and reality shows are taking over the airwaves. Camp combines the two, giving a cast of unknowns the chance to become stars on a background of musical theatre and social issues.

Like a modern day Kids from Fame but touching on more present day issues than they ever could on 1980s television, Camp is a musical with a massage. Acceptance, social standing, image, sexuality and other teenage issues are all dealt with on a background of musical numbers from 20th century compositions.

The unknown cast are very good during the musical numbers but seem to struggle with the more intimate dialogue driven moments of the film. Daniel Letterle is good as the only straight guy in the camp, Vlad. He is arguably the best actor of the ensemble and the filmmakers have realised this by giving him most of the key scenes. Anna Chilcoat and Robin de Jesus are also good in the more dramatic parts of the movie but come into their own while performing. The rest of the cast seem far more comfortable while singing and performing, especially the teachers. Humour comes from Tiffany Taylor and Anna Kendrick as bitter rivals Jenna and Fritzi who both go to extremes to steal each other’s limelight.

Writer/Director Todd Graff does a good job of mixing drama and comedy with a background of music. The three main leads characters are developed enough to get you to care about them but the supporting cast do seem only to be there for minor subplots and background singing.

Camp goes further than Fame! ever could by dealing with issues that affect the more creative and performance minded teenagers. The songs and numbers are very good and should be enough to keep any musical fan happy but non-fans may struggle to find the story and acting good enough to keep their interest.

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Camp (2003) review written by: Jamie Kelwick