Educational Media Reviews Online

This film is exactly what its title promises. Set within a story of two students making a video about alcohol abuse, it covers the facts, statistics, and up-close and personal shots of inebriated teens. Many scenes of vomiting are interspersed with a group of teens talking about their observations or experiences at parties.

To its credit, the film does not sugarcoat what is shown or told. From the immediate facts of sickness and hangovers to the long-term effects of bad teeth, liver damage, and addiction to alcohol, all are shown in color.

For viewers sensitive to discussions or images of bodily fluids, this film will be a trial to sit through. Multiple scenes of young people vomiting or passed out in their own vomit – and worse – are used to instruct and, yes, probably to scare. While some students may make fun of the especially colorful scenes, most everyone will learn a fact or two that they might not already know.

The sound and visuals in this film are very good, production values to be expected from Human Relations Media. This is a “message” movie, but the company must be credited for appealing to teens with diverse actors, in gender and race, as well as speaking to teens in their own language.

And did I mention the vomiting? And the stomach pumping? Hopefully this film will make teens think as they view such scenes, so they can protect themselves and their friends. Therefore it would be a good addition to junior high or high school media collections. It could even be helpful to college students, although the teens portrayed seem younger than college age. College classes in adolescent psychology or addiction might be interested in viewing this short but powerful film.

A teacher’s resource book is available on the DVD in PDF format. It includes learning objectives, pre- and post-tests, research projects, fact sheets, National Health Education Standards Performance Indicators for grades 6-8, and additional resources.