Uphill All the Way

After graduating from the DeSisto School, a Massachusetts rehabilitative high school for drug addicts, victims of sexual abuse, and juveniles who've had numerous run-ins with the law, five troubled teenage girls sign up for a 2,500 mile bike ride along the U.S. continental divide from Canada to Mexico. As the title suggests, Khin May Lwin and Robert Nassua's Uphill All the Way is about climbing mountains--but these are not the von Trapp family children and the breathtaking views here are often punctuated by whining, railing against mother nature, and such rallying cries as, "you're mean, you're vindictive and your attitude sucks.” Thankfully devoid of moralizing or too much descriptive padding, however, the camera simply follows the girls up and down the hills, capturing their myriad struggles along the way--and it's touch and go right from the start, as an unexpected accident triggers one girl's emotional breakdown and sets the stage for another's attempt to run away. But there are consequences for being difficult and fortunately the trip leaders have devised some imaginative rules: no mile can be biked without everyone biking it (so that each girl must gradually come to terms with the idea of being a team member), and nobody gets sent home--no matter what (so giving up is not an option). Lively adolescent discussions and interactions provide welcome insight into the minds of these troubled teens who learn that the ability to persevere despite great emotional and physical adversity is invaluable in boosting one's self-esteem. Well edited, thought-provoking and--believe it or not--bristling with suspense, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (A. Cantu)