The true heart of After Class is Josh’s family comedic-drama played by an incredible ensemble. It’s a huge cast that centers around the family matriarch Agatha (Lynn Cohen), who is sick and reevaluating her current quality of life options. She is beloved and respected by her entire family. The rest of Josh’s family includes Jackie (Kate Berlant), a podcaster who moves in with Josh because she needs a place to stay and also needs podcast studio space. Then there’s brother David (Michael Godere), who appears to be the “normal” one with a family of his own, but constantly needled by Josh through some insanely childish pranks. Mother Diane, played wonderfully by Fran Drescher, who’s especially distraught as mother Agatha is her “soulmate.” And lastly, there’s David’s father, Jeff (Richard Schiff), who is now married to a much younger wife with a very young child of his own and struggles to keep his old family and new family separate. Exhausted would be the best word to describe Jeff.
What I found insightful about this element of the story is how Josh’s family shaped him into the person he is today, both good and bad. As they say, you don’t get to choose your family, but they are your family. It’s this idea that as much as you want to be independent, there’s the family that forces you to be interdependent on one another. There is a family that needs you, especially in times of tragedy. Every time you think you’re out, they keep pulling you back in.
“Justin Long also gives a fantastic performance as he is in every scene…”
As a film, After Class is packed with a lot of characters, plots, and commentary. It casts a wide net, tackling a complex and sensitive subject. Daniel Schechter’s story is like a mirror on today’s cultural climate, where we’ve all become public figures, and it feels like we’re always walking on eggshells to make it to the next day. Schechter brilliant juggles every element of this complex story to tell a compelling yet funny tale—that quite frankly, we all need to see.
Justin Long also gives a fantastic performance as he is in every scene of After Class. As Josh, he is a person who wants to do good and honestly wants to leave his small footprint on the world. I was instantly attracted to his character because he represents the idealism I once had as a young adult. It’s heartbreaking to see how he is swatted back and forth by both society and his family.
As much as he’s misunderstood and becomes the target of millennials and this cancel culture, Josh is also forced to face his part in this conflict. The moment comes to a head with a fantastic ending that must remain a secret, and you need to see and experience for yourself. It’s a moment that changes everything you understood about Josh’s plight up until that point.
I have nothing but admiration for After Class. Sure, there really is a political element to the overarching story, but it’s handled fairly on both sides of the debate and in the end, refuses to declare a winner or loser. Instead, it leaves a message that both sides need to hear because this is not a conflict that demands a winner or loser.
"…like a mirror on today’s cultural climate..."
