Adventures in Public School is a 2017 Canadian comedy film directed by Kyle Rideout and written by Josh Epstein and Kyle Rideout. The film stars Daniel Doheny as Liam, a socially awkward and over-sheltered home-schooled teenager who has never been to public school and dreams of going to college.
Liam's mother Claire, played by Judy Greer, is an overly controlling and protective parent who has schooled her son at home all his life. She has carefully crafted Liam's education to include only academically challenging materials, with no social or emotional interaction with other kids his age. However, on the day of his final exam, Liam meets Anastasia, played by Siobhan Williams, a girl he has been crushing on for months. Anastasia invites Liam to a graduation party, and Liam quickly becomes enamored with the public-school lifestyle.
Despite his mother's objections, Liam decides to enroll in public school for his senior year to experience a typical American teenager life. He makes some friends, including the quirky and rebellious Missy (played by Andrea Bang), who helps him navigate the complicated terrain of high school. Liam tries to fit in and keep up with the usual high school shenanigans, but he quickly realizes that he is not cut out for it.
Liam becomes increasingly frustrated with his mother's constant control and suffocating love, causing a rift in their already fragile relationship. Eventually, Liam's mom realizes that she must let him go and allow him to make his own choices. In the end, Liam learns valuable life lessons and a newfound appreciation for his unique perspective, and his mother learns to give him the breathing room he needs to grow and become an independent adult.
Adventures in Public School is a heartwarming coming-of-age story about a young man's journey of self-discovery and acceptance. It offers a humorous and relatable look at the complexities of adolescence and the often-fraught relationships between parents and their children as they navigate the transition from childhood to adulthood.
