After a longer than usual introductory period, I finally more or less figured out the characters. I've often wondered why writer/directors, who may have spent years babying their film and it's characters, assume we poor witless senile viewers can figure out subtleties with just a few hints. Anyway, once I sort of figured out the characters (um! there may be a bit of hyperbolization here) I really appreciated this "coming of age" film. Fine job.