Jenny is a senior in high school, not the most popular/not the most nerdy, her love interest is similar, she is gifted, but unsure of her future. And that's where the cliches stop. Her father is harsh and borderline abusive, but his love for his children is evident. Her mother is a Mexican Edith Bunker and definitely needed more screen time.
Acid Test is delightfully set during the backdrop of the 1992 presidential election, which mirrors Jenny's journey: George Bush represents her path to Harvard, which is safe but will most likely lead to a dull life of civil service. Bill Clinton represents her desire to party and drop acid, which incites Jenny to rebel. It's fun, but unsafe and ultimately self destructive. Jenny struggles with these two choices for most of the film, wreaking havoc on the family and friends around her who just want the best for her.
I would have given it 10 stars had they played up the angle I expected at the end: Jenny ultimately chooses to do something entirely different, no one quite understands it, not even herself: aka Ross Perot.
And I can't stress this enough: the music ROCKS.
