Watch Struck by Lightning

Struck by Lightning is a 2012 comedy-drama movie directed by Brian Dannelly of 'Saved!' fame. The movie features an ensemble cast including Chris Colfer, Rebel Wilson, and Christina Hendricks. The plot of the movie revolves around a high school senior named Carson Phillips, played by Chris Colfer, who is determined to escape his hometown and chase his dreams of becoming a writer. The movie opens with Carson narrating the story of his life, coming from a dysfunctional family where his mother, played by Allison Janney, believed that he was 'struck by lightning' and was born special.

Carson is the editor of the school newspaper and is desperate to become a successful writer. In order to do so, he decides to blackmail his fellow classmates who are involved in various extracurricular activities to contribute to the school newspaper. He dreams of getting accepted to Northwestern University to pursue his writing goals.

However, Carson’s dreams are put on hold when he is killed by a bolt of lightning in the film's opening scene. The rest of the film chronicles Carson's life through a series of flashbacks as he interacts with his fellow students, teachers, and family in the days leading up to his death.

Along the way, Carson meets Malerie Baggs, played by Rebel Wilson, a socially awkward student who becomes his unlikely friend. Malerie is always interested in playing Dungeons & Dragons, and Carson asks her to join the newspaper team. As a result, they have many amusing interactions throughout the movie.

Carson also finds himself in conflict with his mother, whom he blames for his lack of success. She refuses to provide him with financial support and pushes him to focus on more pragmatic pursuits, such as becoming a cheerleader, which was her dream as a high schooler.

Christina Hendricks plays the school’s guidance counselor, who is secretly sleeping with one of the students. She provides Carson with the guidance he needs to make it into Northwestern University. Carson quickly realizes that this counselor, who is supposed to be a role model for the students, is not entirely equipped to handle the demands of her job.

Throughout the film, Struck by Lightning examines the deeply entrenched hierarchies and social dynamics of a high school setting. Carson is acutely aware of the social pecking order, and the film highlights how the school's power structure reinforces the idea that some students are inherently valuable while others are not.

Chris Colfer's performance as Carson is the real standout of the movie. He portrays the character with nuance and complexity, and his narration throughout the film ensures that the audience is fully immersed in his experiences.

Rebel Wilson and Christina Hendricks both deliver solid performances that complement Colfer's work well. Wilson plays the role of Malerie with sensitivity and humor, while Hendricks brings a certain intensity and drama to her performance.

The cinematography in the movie is also noteworthy. The film’s look is appropriately gritty and unpolished, reflecting the bleakness of Carson's situation, while the use of flashbacks adds an extra layer of depth and nuance to the story.

In conclusion, Struck by Lightning is a thought-provoking, engaging film that tackles difficult themes with maturity and sensitivity. It is a must-watch for anyone who has experienced the ups and downs of high school life and is looking for a movie that captures the complexities of that time in our lives.

Struck by Lightning is a 2013 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 41.