Geography Club (2013) User Reviews

Feel good, charming and very inspiring-- if heavily flawed...

[Jesse_Ung · 6/10 · 23 December 2013]

Geography Club is an exceptionally motivated film. It's messages are simultaneously subtle and prominent--and there are many that audiences can take from it. It's appeal, whilst obviously aimed towards adolescents, is genuine. It never feels cheap, never ham-fisted and doesn't try to be something that it isn't. The performances from it's cast are exceptional, and I feel inclined to note in particular Ted Ovilares whose incredible and heartbreaking portrayal of Brian Bund was perfect, and Cameron Deane Stewart who played a very identifiable and relatable Russell Middlebrook. It's funny, it's fast, it's beautifully filmed, charming, feel good and inspiring pure and simple.

However, the film's biggest flaw to me-- as a person who's read the novel-- is that it barely scrapes the surface of what the characters and their development, and their relationships were. For instance, Russell and Kevin's relationship, whilst sweetly and endearingly portrayed in the film, was simply not explored nearly enough to be able to understand the depth of his feelings for Kevin (and vice versa). In the book, (SPOILERS) the reason why Kevin and Russell's break up at the end is so heartbreaking is because they were still in love with each other afterwards, they both wanted different things as characters--Russell was prepared to be out whilst Kevin was not--and they knew that it couldn't work despite their feelings for each other. In the film, it's just not very satisfyingly portrayed. The characters aren't as layered as they are in the book.

What I'm trying to say is that there is so much more to these characters than what you see in the film--which really only barely scrapes the surface of them. Their motivations behind their decisions and their priorities-- what is important to them and what (and who) they care about is what makes them and their stories so compelling. I understand that liberties have to be taken when adapting content to the screen, and while the way the characters are seen very much fit the narrative direction the film chose, I just didn't feel as if we spent enough time with them to truly understand their relationships--their growth or deterioration, and feel what they're going through. What's simply missing here is a sense of narrative resolution.

This being said however, Geography Club is a must see film for adolescents. I can almost guarantee that there will be something or someone in the film that any viewer will be able to identify with and or relate to. It's fast, it's funny, it's inspiring and it's flawed, but I cannot recommend it more. It's such an important film that I am sure viewers from all walks of life will recognize its importance.

Coming of age gay story

[t-dooley-69-386916 · 7/10 · 26 April 2015]

Russell is gay and is in the closet, he is keeping his head down to study with the hope of living up to his parent's dreams and actually getting into Yale. He is also playing it straight by dating girls and being the wing man for his best friend Gunnar.

Then he goes on a field trip and gets entangled with Jock footballer Kevin. His secret is now out but he still isn't. What follows is a 'nice' coming of age tale that will have no surprises but is warm and human enough to satisfy most viewers.

This is not a sexathon either - nothing to frighten the horses here - there is some humour, there is some bullying and abusive behaviour but that is essentially a story about growing up and being honest about who you are. I have seen some very negative reviews of this and was initially put off from seeing it; after watching it I actually felt good for having seen it - so this is one I can easily recommend.

Interesting movie with a good story...

[paul_haakonsen · 6/10 · 22 December 2013]

I sat down to watch "Geography Club" without having read the synopsis, just thinking this to be another one of those teen comedy movies. I was surprised when I found out what it actually was all about.

Surprised, yeah, but not in a bad way. This movie is actually rather entertaining, but at the same time it is quite compelling and riveting. This is the kind of movie that you get swept away by, because the story is realistic and the characters even more so.

The story is about Russell (played by Cameron Deane Stewart) who is coming of age and is struggling with his sexuality. Standing at a crossroad of his sexuality, facing a very difficult social situation by outing his gay sexuality. He gets into a secret relationship with Kevin (played by Justin Deeley) who is on the college football team. Caught between his own morals and his friendship to Gunnar (played by Andrew Caldwell), Russell lives a double life.

Now, don't expect to be flat out laughing yourself to tears from this movie, because it is not that kind of comedy. This movie is more of a subtle comedy that is very realistic and tied to events that we can relate to in one way or another.

The movie is nicely told and directed by director Gary Entin. But even more importantly, it is so nicely acted out on the screen by every one on the cast list.

"Geography Club" is a very nice movie that you should take the time to sit down and watch.

Well acted, important topic, but oh! the liberties taken by the writers!

[mindnbody · 6/10 · 1 March 2014]

Like several other reviewers before me, I just happened upon this movie and therefore had few expectations. And, like them, I was pleasantly surprised. As a mature gay man, I think the topic of bullying in schools is an important, yet complicated one: it is easy to sit back from the action and judge, but to experience it -- especially at such a confusing time of life -- isn't quite so black and white. So. ultimately, I thought it was a good film and was happy to have discovered it.

Then I went to IMDb to offer a rating - perhaps a "7" - and learned that the film was based on a series of books written by Brent Hartinger. So, I ran over to Audible.com and purchased the first and, upon completion of that, the remaining three books. Then, my opinion changed a bit.

Don't get me wrong, I think that the acting was actually quite good and that (for a small film) the production quality was higher than one might expect. However, the liberties that the screenplay writers took with the book's rich content were mind-boggling. As a life-long fan of both books and movies, I fully understand that strict translations of page to screen are nearly impossible and often fall flat when they do occur. However, the extent of the changes were so pervasive that it is nearly impossible to recognize some of the characters - in fact, reading the book helped me understand my confusion over the conflicting actions/statements of some of the characters in the film, who it appears were patched together from other characters in the book.

I think what bothers me more than anything is that I fear several of the liberties taken by the screen writers will really threaten any possibility of screen versions of the sequels in the book series. It's a shame, because the journey of these characters is a good and honest one that I think many teens would find compelling.

I awarded 5 points for tackling the topic in a realistic and accessible manner. An extra point for the nice portrayals by the young cast. It's still a good movie, but could easily have been a better one had the writers taken better care and trusted the original author. I encourage anyone interested in this movie or its topic to look for the books (hard copy, e-book, or audio book).

Unlikely but immensely watchable movie about being gay and closeted at school.

[david-3165 · 7/10 · 8 August 2015]

You can tell from the opening scene what type of movie this is going to be and I didn't mind one bit. The handsome school jock is closeted and finding it difficult to hook up with anyone until he meets another closeted high school jock. A small group of nerdy types regularly hold meetings in a school classroom under the guise of a Geography Club, knowing such a group would surely be ignored by the rest of school. Of course they are the local gay kids hiding behind the sign. The handsome jock stumbles upon the club and is convinced to join.

I think the holding power of this movie is the lead character played by Cameron Deane Stewart. He is very good in this role, very likable and very handsome. The story line is fairly slim on drama but the movie does redeem itself in the closing scenes. I must say I went in to this movie not excepting a lot and came our surprised enough to write this review and to say give it a go. Also look out for the cool cameo by Scott Bakula (Qantam Leap and later playing gay in Looking), in a very uplifting and rewarding scene around the family dinner table.

A powerful and touching film

[Gordon-11 · 1 March 2014]

This film tells the story of a young man in high school, who is coming to terms with his sexuality with help with his new friends in the Geography Club.

"Geography Club" shows that a low budget and no frills film can be heartwarming and fun to watch. The plot follows a 16 years old man called Russell, who meets a football jock. He is terrified of coming out, but with the right support he lives happily. It is a great coming of age story, with emphasis on self acceptance; and living your own life for yourself and not anyone else. It is a powerful film, especially the scene where the bullied boy invites Russell to sit down. "Geography Club" is a powerful and touching film, and it breathes of positivity. I really enjoyed watching "Geography Club".

COULD BE BETTER.

[andrewchristianjr · 7/10 · 13 April 2021]

This film has mostly solid acting and quite high production values, but it shies away from any deep thinking, offering sentimentality instead. If you're in high school, it might provide a bit of inspiration, or it might just make you wish you lived in the movies instead of real life.

Closing Credits

[Franco-LA · 3/10 · 29 March 2014]

The movie, given its budget, is essentially technically sound as far as some aspects. The lack of money is clearly visible in some areas, such as the sign-age for the high school. In others, such as the football game, sufficient extras and the location match that of a higher budgeted project (e.g. Friday Night Lights, etc.) Some of the technical aspects were actually conveyed well, such as the cinematography: one good example is the rain scene kiss, some of the bike riding shots, etc. The acting is generally good, but with no real standouts.

However, where the story fails is with the character development, plotting, script. A good number of the reviewers here have complained with changes from the book to film; some of these have blamed the poor characterizations on this factor as well. However, a book is not a movie and, as someone who read the book some years ago, this is NOT the problem here.

Some of the changes are not apparently necessary, nor improvements (for example, there's no real good reason to make the Ike character into one form of stereotype in exchange for how he was portrayed in the book). Other changes (such as Russell not being sure he wants to identify as gay at the start of the movie, unlike book Russell), or the changes to other characters are really less issues, and in some ways, integral to the themes the movie wants to explore: coming out as a teenager is hard, teens have to deal with peer pressure on multiple levels, parental pressure, homophobia and bullying.

In respect to these themes, the movie fails and comes across as very dated, particularly when you consider movies far older than the book source (Edge of Seventeen or Get Real), covered these topics with much better scripts and character development. The YA adult section of any library also has a surfeit of books (any by David Levithan) with more interesting characters and plots than the source book here.

Where the characters (and thus the story) are harmed here is with their shallowness - such as Trish and Kimberly (Kimberly is a one dimensional aspiring drunk unable to go for the guy she wants so doing an end-run with his less desirable friend for some unexplained, unknown reason in spite of the portrayal as aggressive and domineering otherwise). In particular, it is implausible that four sets of parents would allow age 16 teens to go away for an entire weekend unsupervised. Yes, a set of parents could go out of town and their child could have a party with alcohol for one evening, for which other kids could sneak away, but we are unnecessarily told (for what happens) that is a two day event.

It's even more implausible that authority figures would not have done something to the boys who clearly pushed out the Brian character from the cafeteria closet, particularly given that adults are shown with the same clear site lines that the Nim character enjoyed as Russell slipped guiltily out. Most preposterously, the posting of the flyer with a fairly innocuous and truly ambiguous snap shot of a boy pushing a girl away is in no way an outing, and not particularly an embarrassing, shaming outing (in comparison to a bar, underwear and lipstick humiliation, say). Even the most homophobic student body would not so immediately discarded someone who just won a football game for them with such ease without further proof (and, unless the movie does not tell us this fact, but is chronological takes place in say 2001, the digital image from what looks like a current era cell phone would have been uploaded to social media, not pasted onto paper flyers).

The movie fails because it's shallow, simplistic and BAD; the problem is not deviation from the book, it's simply a poorly written/plotted movie with undeveloped characters. Yes, teenagers might benefit from stories about bullying, peer pressure and homophobia - but there are far more superior existing movies for that.

Seven-and-three-quarters of a minute in: 10/10.

[ryan-o-west · 10/10 · 9 May 2015]

That's right: I'm seven minutes and forty-five seconds into this movie, and I'm already declaring it a 10/10.

Why? Because these kinds of gay movies are joyous, a breath of much-needed fresh air, and---I daresay---IMPORTANT.

Currently---and despite our much-lauded progressive attitudes---watching a "gay romance" is a bit like walking a Vietnam-era minefield: You're never quite sure if the characters and relationships you're rooting for are going to catch AIDS, be lynched, and/or commit suicide by the end... because they usually do. (Consider: The most mainstream "gay romance" at the time of this writing ends with one of our heroes being tire-ironed to death on the side of a freeway.)

So: "Living happily ever after" is one hell of a risky bet.

Admittedly, there's an undeniable place for such poignant, melancholy fare... but sometimes... sometimes... I just want to watch a cheesy, happy movie! Does that make me a bad person?! That was a rhetorical question: NO! No, it does not!

Dammit, I want to watch a movie where I know, going in, that the muffin I'm smiling for isn't going to suffer horribly and then die alone! No one likes minefields!

And seven minutes and forty-fives seconds in, this movie told me I wasn't in a minefield.

That is one HELL of a rare treat in the desolate, self-immolating landscape of despair to which we're so-often subjected.

One outstanding coming out movie

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 3 December 2017]

The high school where the subjects of this film go have an after school club called The Geography Club. Not something you think would be a great activity. Imagine discussing topography and climate of individual regions on our club as an exciting activity after school.

But in this place it is a euphemism where kids who are LGBT or wondering if can go for a bit of safe space. God only knows they need it. For those who are stereotypes they're needing it bad and that's obvious.

But our main characters Cameron Deane Stewart and Justin Deeley are not stereotypes. They're both jocks, Stewart runs track and Deeley is a football player who gets Stewart on the team just so they can hang out and it seem normal. These two should they want to make the leap and it's a pretty formidable decision need this also as the film demonstrates.

Rough as it is to come out, Stewart gets untimely ripped from the closet and that's ready or not you have to deal with it then. Saddest case of all in the film is Russell Olivares for whom school is just living hell. He doesn't even know if he really is attracted to men, he only knows he's at peace only when he plays the cello.

Best moment for me is when Deeley walks into the Geography Club and past a phalanx of future Trump voters, some former teammates. He's had a bad time when Stewart was outed and they react differently to the experience.

Geography Club is highly recommended for young gay audiences. Should be required for PFLAG audiences.

Appalling

[robert-80695 · 1/10 · 4 September 2020]

I love Geography Club - the book, that is, not this film. The film is, honestly, unbelievable - crass, shallow, cliched. I was so disappointed. It's a sort of Hollywood C movie that ignores every gentle subtlety of the book. I realised something was wrong when Gunner first appeared. And from then on it was downhill all the way. If the director didn't like the book why did he make this film? If he did like it, why did he completely misunderstand it? Sorry, but it actually made me cry to see this failure.

Entertaining & Compelling

[guidoverweyen-1 · 10/10 · 7 October 2013]

A very entertaining and compelling comedy. It's one of those timeless movies that stay relevant regardless of what decade you're in. It's an inspiring & touching comedy about friendship, identity & the courage to speak out. Reminds me of My So Called Life. It combines humor, wit and important life lessons. The whole cast did a great job, portraying complex characters, making it easy to identify with the situations they face. I especially loved Grant Harvey's portrayal of Nolan, one of the most complex characters of the movie. The filmmakers (Gary & Edmund Entin) succeed in capturing the reality that plays out across schools across the country, where being different can be frightening, awkward and disturbing. Fans of Brent Harbinger's book will love this movie, it captures the optimism and drama in a realistic and believable way. Probably geared towards young adults, it should be seen by anybody.

Not too bad

[gja822 · 6/10 · 4 March 2020]

The film is shallow. Sometimes you cannot believe the plot or characters. I liked the cinematography and music though. And closing credits are made quite nice :)

The main character is underplayed. Well, I mean the actor (Cameron Deane Stewart) did not cope portraying the character. And the film's script did not help in that. I do not see him really struggling for anything. On the other hand, Justin Deeley was more emotional while also not showing his difficulties (or the reasons for the actions). And I've not seen a "chemistry" between the two. Kevin is a great buddy to Russell, but not a boyfriend. Maybe Teo Olivares acting stands out a bit, it was really good (although his character is undeveloped also).

Quite popular successful teenager as Russell (science - O.K., sports - could be a star, girls - several at a time willing to be with him)? Only his problem may be in not having many friends. And Kevin... So kind, almost pithless and team's leader? It's not a comedy nor a drama. I see no character to identify with in this movie. I even see no conflict. Well, some decisions have to be made, but that's all.

Geography Club Review

[felipepm17 · 5/10 · 11 July 2019]

I understand that this story is the first part of a series of books, but that does not mean that the story and the characters should be so bad. In each scene one character is giving an ultimatum to another, whether they are friends or boyfriend. At least the main couple does not stay together at the end, as there did not seem to be any chemistry or compatibility.

As phony, superficial and weird as the makeup on the macho jock

[jm10701 · 28 October 2014]

When everything about a movie is equally bad, it's interesting what stands out the most.

In this uniformly bad movie, it's the makeup. The actors are wearing SO MUCH MAKEUP, and there are so many extreme closeups in unnatural light and unnaturally saturated color photography, that all I see is the heavy lipstick, mascara, eyeshadow and blush on a guy who's supposed to be a macho jock and definitely is NOT supposed to be in drag. And that's on my TV - God knows what he would look like on the huge screen in a theatre, probably like the garishly made-up troll-woman on the old Drew Carey sitcom.

The heavy makeup is so distracting that it would completely sabotage any drama or comedy that's supposed to be going on, even if the writing, directing and acting weren't just as bad as the makeup. This is definitely one ONLY for dreamy-eyed adolescents and their middle-aged admirers, people who see life just as it looks in this movie - thick, cartoon-colored and all on the surface.

I love gay russel too🤗

[tannu21 · 7/10 · 9 February 2023]

Well this movie is about college going student who is struggling about his sexual identity other student like him help him to come out of closet forming GSA club previous known as geogarphy club, i though his childhood friend gunner is not a good friend but he actually suprised me by supporting his gay friend and totally dissapointed by kevin he didn't even come to support russell who he like, i was expecting he will come and come out of closet at the end but not every couple get happy ending. It is a good movie some kissing scene are very good i feel the curosity they felt to actually kiss same gender.

Great For Younger Viewers

[meaninglessbark · 7/10 · 5 November 2014]

There's not much wrong with Geography Club other than it's not that interesting for adults. As a teen movie it's better than most and that makes it worth a 7 rating.

Geography club looks and develops like a made-for-TV movie with aspects of after school specials. The acting is adequate, a couple of the younger actors show promise of being good.

The plot for the most part feels realistic in that it meanders, is somewhat unfocused, and nothing comes to a definite conclusion. The characters are mostly one dimensional with the exception of a kid who's bullied at school and apparently abused at home...His character has more going on than is ever addressed.

There are glaringly unrealistic elements which makes Geography Club seem more like a typical high school movie such as the main character gets on the football team with no prior experience or interest in the game.

Geography Cub is ideal for young teens. There's no soft porn sex or gratuitous nudity nor is there any hit-you-over-the-head tragedy. The film is occasionally genuinely funny and there's enough diversity in the characters that most young viewers could either identify with them or find them familiar. (Although as is typical of almost every queer film made the lead and his boyfriend are good looking white guys with great bodies.)

A small movie with a big heart

[baunacholi-86159 · 7/10 · 29 November 2021]

For a change a realistic vibe in a high school movie or should I say LGBTQ movie? Does it really matter - at all? Ultimately its a movie about finding your way in this world, fitting in or standing out. Out yourself or being outed, growing up and being true to yourself. Fall in love and being rejected... U see, quite some topics are tackled in geography club. A touching, light hearted and sensitive movie I can only recommend. Maybe not as deep as it could have been but certainly not shallow...

Cute guy who does stupid things

[denny321 · 3/10 · 6 June 2020]

This is one of those movies where you're constantly screaming at the lead character, "Don't do that!" It's exceptionally tiresome, especially in this case where there would have been no bad consequences for doing the right thing and plenty for doing the wrong thing.

Russell is a cute, gay, closeted, and otherwise unremarkable high school kid who is pulled in two very wrong directions. His fat, nerdy, obnoxious "friend" Gunnar demands Russell help him score with the babes by dating his crush's bestie, while his secret boyfriend - star quarterback Kevin - recruits him for the football team where he meets toxic jocks who prod him to become a homophobic bully.

In each case, all Russell had to do was say "No." Instead he goes along with everyone's schemes, compromising every shred of integrity he might have once had - and is predictably outed as a result. Somehow he doesn't recognize that the completely self-absorbed Gunnar is only using him for his own gain, or that Kevin manages to avoid all the homophobic nonsense that Russell allows himself to be drawn into. Hell, Kevin even gives Russell a kiss in the locker room - not right out in front of the team, but in a place where they easily could have been seen.

Sadly, we see very little of Russell and Kevin's relationship - nothing more than a couple brief chats, and a chaste kiss now and again. It feels like the real meat of the film is missing. The filmmakers decided to spend much more time on the painful, cringeworthy contortions Russell goes through to maintain his friendship with Gunnar, who at no moment is the least bit likable. I guess the choice was made because that kind of material is easier to write and easier to sell - but it gives the whole film the aspect of a Porky's sequel. And it undermines any worthwhile statement the film could have made.

But the real tragedy is the ending. Finally outed against his will, Russell gives Kevin an ultimatum - out himself to the whole school as well or they're through. It's unconscionable that the filmmakers portray Russell as the "good guy" for making this demand and Kevin as the "bad guy" for walking away. Kevin is closeted because he thinks it will hurt his chances of getting a college football scholarship - and he's right; going to college is way more important than having a high school boyfriend. Russell is acting like too many other gay men who were closeted and behaved badly for years, but as soon as they come out expect everyone else to do the same. No one should be forced to come out before he or she is ready. Ever. And it's shocking that no other review I've seen picked up on this.

It's sad that Russell is left alone at the end of the film - but he surely deserves to be.

AN HONEST REPRESENTATION OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN HIGHSCHOOL!

[plasmapilot · 9/10 · 9 November 2021]

Having known gay/lesbian friends for 50 years, I've understood their confusion & angst regarding their "secret". This film portrayal of this time of life really touched me! Adolescents who are bullied struggle to reach their potential because they're marginalized & distracted by peers who feel threatened by things they misunderstand! Life is difficult enough without being judged based on preferences. People fear what they don't understand and can become bigots. All lives matter and should feel free to express themselves freely without judgements!

An Exercise in "Cute"

[Coralknight · 6/10 · 10 November 2016]

Yup, I would have to say "cute" is the best way to describe this entire movie. Geography Club is a reflection of modern teen high school culture, wherein pretty much all the actors (male and female) are beautiful to look at, dress well, and live predictable suburban lives. The fact that this particular film centers around the gay aspect of high school life, particularly through the eyes of the main character brings a slightly different side which most students may not know. However, all in all, there is nothing really profound or new being said here; just the trials and tribulations of a high school student who is trying to come to terms with his homosexuality, and figure out his relationship with someone he has a crush on. The production values are really well done and the acting, given the particularly light treatment subject matter (I've honestly seen heavier drama on this topic on television) make this just cute brain-candy. If you want a light, feel-good teen movie, this is a good way to spend a couple of hours.

well intentioned

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 27 February 2015]

Min (Ally Maki) catches Russell Middlebrook (Cameron Deane Stewart) kissing quarterback Kevin Land. The guys are desperate to hide it. Min wants them to join her 'Geography Club' which is actually a support group for gay teens with Terese (Nikki Blonsky) and Ike (Alex Newell). Russell comes to join the group. His friend Gunnar begs him to go on a double date with Trish (Meaghan Martin). Kevin brings him onto the football team. Brian tries to join with different problems of his own and they decide to open up the group to other teens. Their alternative teacher Mrs. Toles (Ana Gasteyer) gets suspended after an interview with the school newspaper.

It's slightly sweet and has good intentions with a serious subject matter. CDS is not a particularly charismatic lead although he gets the fear of the character very nicely. This feels more like a PSA than an actual movie. It just needs a better director to get a more compelling telling out of the material.

Great movie, worth a watch.

[imdb-92527 · 10/10 · 30 September 2017]

This movies tells a story of a teen coming to terms with his sexuality. What I love about this movie is its a very realistic story that happens in every day life. Its a really nice movie and I wish there were more like this. I totally recommend that you watch this movie to everyone... LGBT or straight. Its a good watch and shows real problems that people face today.

Gay teen movie for people who hate gay teen movies

[g_imdb-43 · 4/10 · 10 March 2020]

I'm sick of the trend to make "G-rated" gay movies. The gay leads are barely even in the movie together - perhaps 2 minutes total! The rest of the movie is about palling around with other people. And most non-gay HS movies are sexier, this was just a waste of time.

Definitely not the book!

[keojj-22 · 10 February 2014]

This opinion might soil your viewing experience -- (SPOILER AHEAD).

Briefly, this film lacks the character development of Brent Hartinger's, "The Geography Club" largely due to the inaccuracies of its narrative. The screenplay greatly adjusted the chronology of events in the novel and in doing so the consequences of character interaction became watered down. Victim to cinematic alteration, the journey of Russell and Kevin's love affair becomes marginalized if not completely shallow. One of the pillars of the novel are the sacrifices that each character make to become closer to each other -- the ultimate being their involvement within the secret club -- creating the tension necessary to convey the pain of a crushing separation. In the film Kevin seems weak with selfish identity issues and Russell is warped into a less confident, more conflicted version of himself. Russell was never confused about his sexuality in the novel and yet in the film he was very hesitant to define his attractions as "gay" (a reflection of current views on male sexuality no doubt) . Kevin, in the novel was never outright selfish so much as he was afraid/preservationist of his popularity becoming compromised while cinematically he was a self-hating jock (specifically, he did want to be gay and preferred football) with parents who clearly knew he was closeted.

There is so much more:

• Ike was a liberal political activist in the novel and far from his cinematic portrayal - Teresa was the female equivalent of Kevin and far from accountable to Min - Gunnar was Norwegian, slightly vindictive, extremely smart and socially awkward.. not the "clown" - Min and Russell were far more close which made the Sting of Russell's treatment of Brian much worse - Where was Belinda? Oh wait, the heterosexual, overweight daughter of an alcoholic was morphed into Ike or Teresa.. - There is no science trip.

Just so much.. Read the book. You Can read the e-book for free.. just google it!!!