As You Are (2016)

As You Are feels special because it captures adolescence the way it’s actually lived: in half-remembered flashes, aching glances, and conversations that sound disarmingly real. Set against an early-’90s haze and framed by a quiet police inquiry, it pieces together a teenage bond with a lyrical, ethereal confidence that’s remarkable for a debut, letting artful imagery and truthful dialogue do the heavy lifting. The young cast is uniformly strong, bringing a raw tenderness and volatility that makes every moment feel immediate, even when the film drifts like a memory. It’s not a crowd-pleasing, neatly wrapped drama—more a moody, intimate reverie—but if you’re drawn to honest coming-of-age stories that linger in your mind, this one is quietly riveting.

As You Are is aiming for a moody, early-’90s coming-of-age drama told through fragmented memories and a police investigation, and you can feel it reaching for that hazy, emotionally true vibe. The problem is the storytelling can come off a bit immature and overly deliberate, lingering so long on the mechanics of what happened that the characters don’t always deepen in a satisfying way. If you need sharp nuance, strong character intimacy, or a payoff that feels earned rather than “clever,” this may leave you cold, especially as it heads toward a twisty finish some will find gimmicky. That said, if you’re patient with slow-burn teen melancholy and like the idea of unreliable recollection shaping a relationship, there’s enough atmosphere and tenderness to make it worth a look.