Rocket Science

Director Jeffrey Blitz's (Spellbound) first fiction feature is set in the world of high-school debate, and like so many other coming-of-age tales, this one carries a strong hormonal element. But Rocket Science is a much smarter film than the raunchy line of “let's-get-laid” flicks that extends from Porky's to Superbad. Reece Thompson stars as Hal—a New Jersey kid with a stutter that makes him shy and withdrawn—who's unaccountably recruited for the debate team by ambitious overachiever Ginny (Anna Kendrick) after her old partner flakes out at a critical moment. Naturally, Hal is smitten with Ginny—who, it turns out, has ulterior motives—but his infatuation goes off the rails when Ginny makes a decision that will rock his world. Rocket Science is not a formula sports movie: there is no triumphant championship debate resolution here, but rather a more muted, insightful, and satisfying denouement. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a 13-minute “making-of” featurette, the music video “I Love the Unknown” performed by Clem Snide, and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a fine film.] (F. Swietek)