‘Bonus Track’ Review- A Teen Romantic Comedy That Charms Despite Its Flaws

Set in a small English town during the late 2000s, Geroge (Joe Anders), is a shy, social outcast who spends his days dreaming of pop stardom instead of putting any effort whatsoever into schoolwork. Ironically, he doesn’t even put any effort into developing or improving his very limited musical talents. His parents, played by Jack Davenport and Alison Sudol, stress to him that he needs to pick a more realistic career path and dedicate himself to it. The arrival of Max (Samuel Paul Small), the son of a famous musician, represents a change of fortune for George. He offers to tutor Max in math in exchange for help developing his musical skills. The two form an unlikely friendship that soon blossoms into romance.

The film takes what sounds like Wattpad fan fiction and mostly treats it with the seriousness it deserves. It’s a charming story of two young men misunderstood by the world around them who manage to find acceptance and love with each other. Joe Anders’s portrayal of George as a daydreaming misfit desperate to show the world his potential is moving and will resonate with viewers. Through his friendship and eventual relationship with Max, he blossoms into a confident and capable young man who goes after what he wants and isn’t afraid to put himself out there.

Samuel Small manages to bring a tremendous amount of sensitivity and talent to his portrayal of the famous, but media-shy musical prodigy, Max. Max comes from a working-class background but experienced his family being shot into the spotlight after his dad’s success. When a scandal rocks the family, Max decides to attempt to live a normal life. It’s the attempt at a normal life that brings him the happiness and freedom he craves through his relationship with George. Unfortunately, the film drops the ball with this character by telling about what’s going on in his family rather than showing it.

Viewers are told that his mom is so depressed that she barely gets out of bed, but that isn’t shown. His father, Mike (Colin Salmon) shows up briefly at the end of the film, and all previously hinted tension seems to have dissipated. Again, this is odd and makes the given backstory both confusing and unreliable. Fleshing out these details would have gone a long way toward making Max a fully realized character outside of his relationship with George, but alas, the film doesn’t seem interested in that.

Thankfully, the film doesn’t make this mistake with George’s family and explores his tense relationship with his parents in depth. Davenport and Sudol realistically portray a couple at a crossroads who are trying their best to tough it out for the sake of their son. Sudol is the artsy, free-spirited, and supportive mother and Davenport is the strict, uptight father. The archetypes are recognizable, but both actors do the best they can with what they’re given. The film also manages to find little moments in which to subvert expectations, which is a nice touch.

Ray Panthaki as George’s ornery music teacher, Mr. Zeppelin, and Susan Wokoma as the kind and encouraging school counselor, Mrs. Anderson, add to the film’s enjoyability in their respective roles. Josh O’Connor, who receives a Story By credit, makes a quick but hilarious cameo as a shady tattoo artist and piercer who works out of the back of his creepy van.

Overall, Bonus Track is a watchable coming-of-age romantic comedy that, despite its flaws, is entertaining thanks to the palpable chemistry of its two leads and a charming plot.

Bonus Track is currently playing in select U.S. theaters courtesy of Sunrise Films.