This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 149! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE. Hey everyone!
Hey there, friends!
So, let me dish about this flick I stumbled upon, “Center of My World” or as the cool kids in Germany call it, “Die Mitte der Welt.” It’s this super under-the-radar indie film directed by Jakob M. Erwa, and y’all, it’s a whole vibe.
So we have this teenager, Phil, who’s just breezed back into town from summer language camp. You know how it is after being away from the fam – everything’s the same but also, like, totally different? That’s what he’s feeling, especially around his twin sister, Dianne, and their eccentrically awesome mom, Glass. They’re like this tight-knit trio living in a dreamy, dilapidated mansion—you’ve gotta see it to believe it.
But the real heart-flutter moment? Enter Nicholas, the new heartthrob at school. And when I say heartthrob, I mean your screen might fog up from all the collective swooning. Phil falls for him hard, and honestly, who wouldn’t? Cue all the sweet, awkward, intense first-love shenanigans ’cause these two are adorable together.
But let’s not forget the drama! Phil’s digging into some serious family secrets, trying to unravel his past like he’s some kind of teen detective. You can smell the tension, and it’s not just the teen spirit.
Now, I gotta keep it real with you, while the film has its share of eye candy and emotional moments, I found some parts kind of grim. It’s like, sometimes the vibe gets heavy, almost too heavy, you know? The family dynamics and Phil’s journey have these shadows looming over them, and it feels like, while you’re rooting for a bit of sunshine, a storm cloud’s always ready to pop.
And the cliché alarm did buzz more than a few times, like when you’re watching and thinking, “Haven’t I seen this before?” There are moments – won’t spoil here, no worries – where you might roll your eyes and say, “Yep, classic move, seen that a million times…knew that was coming.” But hey, even with these bits that made me go ‘meh,’ the film still manages to tug at your heartstrings.
So, even though I hit a couple of ‘ugh’ bumps along the way, it’s not all “been there, done that.” The director’s got this snazzy way of making things look so dang pretty that you might just forgive the more familiar roads the story takes you down. The colors, the sounds – they’re all turned up to eleven. It’s like he dunked the whole movie in this magical indie film sauce that makes everything pop.
But let’s circle back for sec – this movie doesn’t just give you the fluffy stuff. It goes there with the messy, complicated family and love life things that a lot of us try to keep on the DL. It’s gutsy, and even if some parts feel recycled, I’m kinda here for the raw feels.
“Center of My World” might not be the most innovative ride at the amusement park, but it sure adds a sprinkle of indie magic. If you’re game for a story that explores the good, the bad, and the ‘ugh‘ of growing up, check it out. Just maybe keep a light on for the darker turns.
Catch you on the flip side! ✌️
Roger