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Written by Gregg Shapiro
Aug 25, 2010
‘Off and Running’ – Photo: Courtesy
“Off and Running”
(First Run Features)
Nicole Opper’s documentary “Off and Running: An American Coming of Age Story” provides a unique LGBT twist to the genre. The film begins with African-American teenager Avery, a good student and rising track and field star, writing a letter to her birth mother Kay. Adoptive lesbian mothers Travis and Tova raised Avery and her two brothers in a Jewish household. Avery’s interest in her birth heritage arose from attending Erasmus Hall High School, which has a large African-American student population.
After a few months, Avery receives a response from her mother that’s friendly but distant. Kay answers some of Avery’s questions but her experience is different from that of her best friend Jenna, who met with her birth mother, and her brother Rafi, who made a connection with his biological brother and sister.
Rafi’s departure to Princeton following graduation combined with Kay’s lack of response creates difficulty and discomfort for Avery. As she discovers black culture, Avery feels misunderstood by her mothers.
Avery’s struggle with her identity leads to a downward spiral. She eventually drops out of school with a plan to get her G.E.D. Feeling out of place at home, she begins staying with various friends. In the midst of this, Travis and Tova, who are worried about and hurt by Avery’s actions, get married in Toronto. Finally, a pregnancy scare leads Avery to a trans-racial adoptive counselor who helps her get her life back on track.
“Off and Running” is a film for everyone – gay, straight, childless or with a houseful of children. DVD special features include a behind-the-scenes look, bonus scenes and more.
