Watch Try Harder!

Try Harder! is a documentary film directed by Debbie Lum that follows a group of high school students in San Francisco as they strive to get into the colleges of their dreams. The film focuses on the experiences of five students - Alvan Cai, a top-performing student at the prestigious Lowell High School; Shealand Fairchild, a first-generation African American; Rachael Schmidt, a Jewish girl from the suburbs; Ian Chun, a Taiwanese American who struggles with test anxiety; and Sophia Xie, a Chinese American who feels pressure to live up to her parents' expectations.

The film opens with Alvan, Shealand, Rachael, Ian, and Sophia beginning their senior year of high school. They are all academically strong and have high aspirations for college. However, they soon realize that getting into a top-ranked university is not an easy feat. They are faced with intense competition, racial prejudices, and the pressure to perform exceptionally well on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT.

Throughout the film, we see the students juggle their coursework, extracurricular activities, and various test prep programs. Despite their tireless efforts, the students struggle to balance their academic pursuits with their personal lives. Alvan, for instance, feels like he has to choose between his passion for filmmaking and his desire to attend a prestigious university. Shealand's parents pressure her to apply to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) even though she wants to attend a more diverse institution. Rachael struggles with the cultural expectations placed on her by her family, and Sophia feels like she's losing touch with her Chinese identity.

The film also delves into the challenges faced by Asian American students in the college admissions process. Due to the model minority stereotype, many colleges have high expectations for Asian American applicants. The film highlights the pressure that these young people feel to excel in every aspect of their life, not just academically. Alvan and Ian, in particular, feel like they have to conform to the stereotype of the hardworking Asian American student to be accepted into their dream schools.

What sets Try Harder! apart from other documentaries on the same topic is its honest and nuanced portrayal of the college admissions process. The film doesn't just highlight the successes of the students but also shows their setbacks and failures. It explores the emotions that come with rejection letters and the fear of disappointing one's family. Through the students' experiences, we see the flawed nature of the college admissions system and the need for reform.

Overall, Try Harder! is a poignant and thought-provoking documentary that offers a rare glimpse into the lives of high-achieving students in America. It sheds light on the immense pressure that young people face to succeed and the negative impacts that this pressure can have on their mental health and well-being. It's a must-watch for anyone who cares about the future of education and wants to understand the complex issues surrounding college admissions.

Try Harder! is a 2021 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 75.