This is a good character driven film without any spectacular fireworks. It's about growing up - meeting new friends, dating, coping with parents, and some illegal activities; but its' certainly not done in a preachy way. Each of the characters has his own individuality and we see them work out their problems alone and together. So you can say that it's earthy- but there were a few times where it did become somewhat self-absorbed, however these scenes were never of any great length.
One of its strengths is that it never goes over the top. At one stage Anton Yelchin (playing Dorian) is beaten up. It would have been so easy for the film-makers to have fist-fight histrionics, but the film wisely refrains from this. The emphasis is successfully kept on each character's emotions. Apparently this was filmed in Louisiana, but hardly any accents were detected!
One of its strengths is that it never goes over the top. At one stage Anton Yelchin (playing Dorian) is beaten up. It would have been so easy for the film-makers to have fist-fight histrionics, but the film wisely refrains from this. The emphasis is successfully kept on each character's emotions. Apparently this was filmed in Louisiana, but hardly any accents were detected!