Gus van Sant has written, directed and edited this film, that delves into the lives of high-school youths. It is all based on the American Columbine massacre committed by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. As usual, van Sant lets the lives of the characters lead the direction rather than him forcing something, which never happens in this film. For me, not even the intense physical violence overpowers the feeling of natural lives being lived throughout this film. Some people slack off at school, others take pictures, some murder. I can clearly see how some critics may dislike this film entirely; the languid atmosphere is at times a little taxing even for me, though I mostly really like van Sant’s direction; what seems hypnotic can lead into the lax and boring. Some might call this playing it safe, but all in all I like this non-Hollywood-esque film, which I shelf below films like “Paranoid Park” and “My Own Private Idaho” but above so much else by many other film-makers.