"Butter"

 2020 * PG-13A * 1h 51m  Bullying is a theme that's rarely touched on in movies and I feel that's a shame. It was one thing when I was growing up, but today in the digital age, it can be ten times more devastating. That's the overriding theme to this remarkable, offbeat, and entertaining movie. 

The story is about a heavily overweight teen, nicknamed "Butter", brilliantly played by Alex Kersting. He's a sensitive kid who also happens to be a brilliant jazz saxophonist. He's internet friends with a young classmate he has a crush on, Anna (McKaley Miller). She has no idea who her suitor is and they plan to meet on New Year's Eve. He has also hatched another plan. Butter's depression has led him to the idea of overeating to the point of killing himself on New Years, and plans to have the entire school watch it happen live on the net. 

His classmates get caught up in the frenzy of this disastrous event, to the point of egging him on, and suggesting various foods to OD on. And surprisingly, some of them befriend him. He sort of becomes one of the cool kids. A side story is his band teacher, who not only pushes him to pursue a music degree at Julliard, but to sit in with some local jazz cats. And his mom, played to the always great Mira Sorvino is totally supportive of him and encourages him with his weight problem, his music, and his relationship with his classmates. I thought the movie was charming, well acted, and well written. One of those films you just have no idea what to expect. Very entertaining. 

4 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming for free with your library card on Hoopla.com. Also on STARZ and Prime Video.