🎥 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡 (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟐)

Crush (2022) 

Crush (2022), directed by Sammi Cohen, is a teen romantic comedy that takes the classic high school romance genre and adds layers of humor, self-discovery, and LGBTQ+ representation. The story revolves around Paige (Rowan Blanchard), a talented and creative high school student who, after a whirlwind of personal struggles and feeling somewhat overlooked, finds herself unexpectedly falling for her new, popular classmate, AJ (Auli’i Cravalho). Paige has always had a passion for art and has been struggling to express herself, both academically and emotionally. Throughout the movie, Paige becomes increasingly involved with her high school’s art club and its dynamics, where she meets AJ, a charismatic, confident, and outgoing student. As Paige gets to know AJ, her romantic feelings intensify, and she finds herself navigating the unfamiliar terrain of her attraction to someone from her peer group who also holds a level of social prominence in the school. However, there’s a twist—Paige doesn’t realize at first that AJ is already dating her best friend, Dylan (Isaiah Stannard), which complicates her emotions further. At the heart of Crush is the coming-of-age journey of Paige, who is learning to understand her own identity and explore new feelings while navigating the challenges of high school life. Paige’s emotional journey is not just about a romantic crush on AJ but also about the complexities of friendships, loyalty, and self-acceptance. When Paige realizes that her feelings for AJ could potentially hurt Dylan and her friendships, she finds herself in a moral dilemma. Meanwhile, the film also explores Paige's growing self-awareness as she begins to reflect on her own desires, sexual orientation, and how it affects her understanding of relationships and attraction. The movie does a great job of balancing comedic moments with more serious themes of emotional growth and self-discovery, with Paige at the center of this emotional evolution. The film also features Paige's humorous interactions with her quirky family, particularly her supportive but somewhat eccentric mother, who adds another layer of charm to the overall narrative.

As the plot progresses, Paige's interactions with both AJ and Dylan continue to evolve, and the underlying tension between attraction, friendship, and personal boundaries intensifies. Paige comes to terms with the idea that sometimes life doesn’t fit neatly into the boxes we expect it to, and that feelings of love and attraction can be complicated. As she confronts these realizations, Paige finds support in unexpected places, learning how to navigate her feelings for AJ while also protecting her relationships with those around her. In the final act, after facing several misunderstandings and emotional hurdles, Paige realizes that her initial crush on AJ was rooted in her desire to feel seen and understood—something she didn’t fully realize about herself at the beginning of the story. By the end of the film, Paige has learned important lessons about communication, trust, and the importance of respecting others' feelings. The movie concludes on a hopeful note as Paige finds a way to reconcile her feelings for AJ and her loyalty to Dylan, ultimately fostering an understanding of how to be true to herself while being considerate of others.

In conclusion, Crush is a delightful and heartwarming film that expertly navigates the complexities of high school life, love, and identity in a lighthearted yet meaningful way. Through Paige's journey, the film addresses themes such as self-discovery, LGBTQ+ representation, the intricacies of relationships, and the importance of being true to oneself. The performances from Rowan Blanchard and Auli’i Cravalho are heartfelt and engaging, with their chemistry bringing depth to the characters' evolving friendship and romantic tension. The movie balances humor with emotional sincerity, offering viewers a relatable and enjoyable story about finding love, navigating personal challenges, and understanding one's identity. While Crush is primarily a romantic comedy, its exploration of coming out, self-acceptance, and the challenges of teenage relationships gives it a depth that resonates beyond the typical high school romance genre. With its charming characters, relatable themes, and comedic yet emotional moments, Crush provides an uplifting and refreshing take on the romantic comedy, making it an enjoyable watch for a wide audience.