Survivor’s Guilt is a horrible thing. We tend to discount it because of that key word: “survivor.” “Gee, pal, doncha feel lucky? Grateful? Energized and full of life?” Ask that of the kids from Columbine, from Virginia Tech, from Stoneman Douglas, from Sandy Hook Elementary. I suppose it’s better than being dead, but don’t pretend surviving is such a gift. To me, it means on the 20-sided die of life, you rolled a “2” instead of a “1.” Congratulations. And with that, I introduce the black comedy Spontaneous, a grisly-yet-brilliant backhanded homage to the kids who have survived school terror and lived to suppress the tale.
It started when Katelyn exploded during Algebra class. It might have been Pre-Algebra, but that’s a little embarrassing; I think Katelyn was a senior. Co-eds don’t generally explode during school, even though, and I’m quoting Barbie here: “Math is hard!” This wouldn’t be the last senior to explode, either. Not by a long shot. Many of the explosions were not even math related. Spontaneous is about the life of an increasingly despondent survivor, Mara (Katherine Langford). Mara speculates early on in the police station where she and her classmates were … sequestered … that the folks in blue are holding them because there might be more explosions.
While in the station, the kids are forced to exchange their blood-spattered togs for grey police issue sweat pants.
“Do I get these back?”
“Do you WANT these back?”
This is the kind of film Spontaneous is. You’re either going to jive with the jive or not. Spontaneous is also a romance, as now lacking all the inhibitions that define people who might not explode, Dylan (Charlie Plummer) makes a move by sending Mara a dick pic (more precisely, a picture of Richard Nixon). You see, the film is R Rated, so it could have delivered anything in this moment, and chose Nixon. I respect that.
And this is what I loved about the film – for all on the surface it’s a no-holds-barred allegory about random school violence, it’s also a fairly moving romance. I didn’t expect to like Mara or Dylan. I not only liked them 
both, I LOVED Mara & Dylan (“Marlan?” “Dyra?”).
I haven’t really captured the feel of this film yet. Try to imagine yourself in a world where life is arbitrary and could end at any second. Oops, I suppose that’s the one we already have. OK, take it to the nth level. Pretend you’re a teen and there’s a 25% chance you could die tomorrow without warning or reason. Why would you even bother getting up? Who could possibly discipline you? What point would there be in following rules, norms, customs, or even mild guidelines? And how do you parent that? There’s a HUGE difference between “my teen won’t listen, but I know what’s good for them” and “my teen won’t listen and I just want them to live another day.” Spontaneous captures that feeling perfectly. Kudos to Piper Perabo and Rob Huebel as Mara’s frustrated-and-impotent-yet-sympathetic parents.
Spontaneous was a very welcome surprise in a sea of middling drama. I spent a great deal of Oscar month catching up on films I missed. It goes with the territory. Spontaneous is the best film I saw in April. I’m not backing off that statement one iota.
Explosions on campus?! Outrageous!
Mere attendance becomes acting courageous
This film feeds the sins
And culpable grins
For those who’ve not seen Heathers in ages
Rated R, 101 Minutes
Director: Brian Duffield
Writer: Brian Duffield
Genre: The horror of high school
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Got a strong stomach and a taste for black comedy? This is your film
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Pollyannas
