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Try Harder!

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Videos & Photos

  • Official Trailer
  • Trailer 1

Movie Info & Cast

Synopsis

At Lowell High School, the top public high school in San Francisco, the seniors are stressed out. As they prepare for the emotionally draining college application process, students are keenly aware of the intense competition for the few open spots in their dream colleges. At Lowell — where cool kids are nerds, nearly everyone has an amazing talent, and most of the student body is Asian American — the things that usually make a person stand out can feel commonplace. With humor and heart, director Debbie Lum captures the reality of the American college application process and the intersection of class, race, and educational opportunity as young adults navigate a quintessential rite of passage.

Atom User Reviews

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Metacritic

83
Jan 6, 2022

While Try Harder! is an important tribute to these kids and their work, it’s also a rebuke of college apps in general.

Metacritic review by Asher Luberto
Asher Luberto
The Playlist
75
Dec 3, 2021

Try Harder! is a charming dark comedy with a light touch, with part of its self-deprecating humor right there in the title.

Metacritic review by Nick Allen
Nick Allen
RogerEbert.com
70
Dec 2, 2021

As snapshots go of bright kids facing the next step, Try Harder! is winning enough, but considering how much more there is to follow up on, here’s hoping it’s only part one.

Metacritic review by Robert Abele
Robert Abele
Los Angeles Times