Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- nostalgic
- warm
- sentimental
- family movie night
- nostalgic weekend
What critics said
Critics found the film warm and period-authentic in places, with Ed Harris offering empathetic work, but viewed its script, acting, and underdeveloped climax as significant weaknesses.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Andy is paired with Stanley, the school's ridiculed outcast, and gradually recognizes his kindness, intelligence, and dignity.
The story unfolds in 1965 within a junior high school shaped by era-specific peer culture and prejudice.
Andy fears ridicule, but Stanley's fearless confrontation with a bully forces him to reconsider conformity and conflict avoidance.
Mr. Simon becomes the target of a damaging rumor after disciplinary action against a school bully.
Films like That's What I Am, and why
The Sandlot
shared coming-of-age drama, schoolyard bullying, moral courage, and nostalgic period setting
The Wonder Years
shared adolescent perspective, small-town nostalgia, friendship, and empathy toward outsiders
To Kill a Mockingbird
shared coming-of-age drama, childhood innocence, social prejudice, and an inspirational teacher figure
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Pavone
- Release Date
- 2011-04-29
- Runtime
- 101 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (209)
Cast
- Chase Ellison
- Ed Harris
- Molly Parker
- Mia Rose Frampton
- Amy Madigan
- Renwick D. Scott II
- Randy Orton
- Yvette Rachelle
- Jordan Reynolds
- Daniel Yelsky
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is That's What I Am about?
- A conflict-averse boy discovers friendship, dignity, and moral courage when a school project pairs him with the class outcast amid bullying and rumor.
- What is That's What I Am like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of That's What I Am as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is That's What I Am violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in That's What I Am as moderate.
- What did critics think of That's What I Am?
- Critics found the film warm and period-authentic in places, with Ed Harris offering empathetic work, but viewed its script, acting, and underdeveloped climax as significant weaknesses.
- Which films are like That's What I Am?
- Films with a similar feel include The Sandlot, The Wonder Years, and To Kill a Mockingbird.
- How long is That's What I Am?
- That's What I Am runs 101 minutes.
- Where can I watch That's What I Am?
- In United States, That's What I Am streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
