Shelby Knox was a 15 year old Good Southern Baptist Girl. She had pledged abstinence until marriage with the True Love Waits program, lived a respectable Christian life and excelled at school.

This film charts Shelby's progression from this Texan parent's wet dream (excuse the in/appropriate language) to a loud and proud activist of compulsory, comprehensive sex education in schools. Along the way, she butts up against the conservative agenda of her church, butts heads with a Young Republican politician on the make, and aligns herself with a motley crew of teenage queer activists.

Stylistically and narratively, the film traverses social issues documentary, portraiture and teen flick. It clearly positions itself as a work of non-fiction, but frequently employs the techniques and style of teen comedy through its narrative focus on the rivalry and power struggle between Shelby and the aforementioned PoliLite Corey Nichols, and exploitation of a comedic montage to highlight their friction.

There is of course the usual spotlight on the hypocrisy and bigotry of the Bible Belt, which attracts both incredulous laughter and discomfort (the protest against allowing a Gay-Straight Alliance in schools certainly stands out in this respect) but Shelby herself is a good subject, and this is the strength of the film. She's passionate and focused yet not so smooth or articulate that she is without vulnerability. Her response to challenges from those in relative positions of power (her local pastor, Christian lobbyists, radio announcers) is satisfying because of this ongoing subtle negotiation. The Knoxes provide a continuing source of both support and opposition to her activist work and beliefs, yet in the end they all come out looking better than when they set out.

You can ping this entry by using http://www.sushipop.net/cgi-bin/mt-tb.cgi/43 .