Original subtitles

-(cameras snapping) -Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.

Eh, eh, eh! (laughing)

I know this is a student film festival

in the school cafeteria, but...

I feel like I'm walking a real Hollywood red carpet.

Yeah, except on real Hollywood red carpets,

you don't see a lot of hairnets.

(crowd murmuring)

Yo, Marge! Your fish sticks were tight today!

(laughs)

Oh wow, this is so exciting!

-Levi, honey, I'm so proud of you. Oh! -(cameras snapping)

Are we gonna be in a magazine?

Probably the school newspaper.

"The Peanut Post"? Like, the front page?

Well, since "The Peanut Post" is only one page... yeah.

Oh, well then, Levi, get out my shot, okay?

(cameras snapping)

Well, this is it, family.

First stop, cafeteria.

Next stop, Sundance!

-(tapping, feedback) -This thing on? Oh!

Ladies and gentlemen,

if you'll kindly take your seats,

the Carver Cannes Film Festival

will begin with a documentary

-by Levi Grayson. -(applause)

(cheering)

Levi, would you like to come up and introduce your film?

(whooshing)

(crowd booing)

(whooshing)

Uh-oh.

I think my little brother's dream

is about to become a nightmare.

Style. Who determines it?

Your mom, your peers, or you?

What starts as a lighthearted documentary

becomes so much more in...

-"Dress to Express." -(cheering)

Ohhhh

- Hey - Yo

Let me tell you somethin'

Had my vision all worked out

But then life had other plans

Tell 'em, Rae

It's crazy when things turn upside down

But ya gotta get up and take that chance

- Maybe I'm just finding my way - Learning how to fly

- Yeah, we're gonna be okay - Ya know I got you, right?

It might be wild, but ya know that we make it work

We're just kids caught up in a crazy world

- C'mon! - It's Raven's Home

- We get loud! - It's Raven's Home

It's our crowd!

Might be tough, but together we make it look good

Down for each other like family should

It's Raven's Home

When it's tough

It's Raven's Home

We got love

'Cos no matter the weather, ya know we gon' shine

There for each other, ya know it's our time

(Raven laughing)

Yep! That's us.

I thought of starting my documentary

by following my big brother Booker,

since he has tons of style.

Turns out,

someone was about to cramp his style.

Mom, I told you I'm never going to wear that!

-Never? -Never, never--

-(gasp) -Ever, ever!

-(gasp) -Never, never--

-(groan) -Am I going to wear that, ever!

(growling)

Booker, you used to love my Ravenous designs.

Because your mother is a fashion designer

of children's haute couture!

Exactly, Mom! They're for kids.

I've outgrown that stuff.

Well, this "stuff" pays the bills.

Sometimes.

Look, Mom, Dad sent me and Nia some shopping money,

so I just wanna pick out my own clothes.

Just try it on, Booker. You would look so cute!

Look at that.

Th-that's the thing, Mom.

I don't wanna look cute.

I'm not a baby anymore.

But, uh, tomorrow, can you make us those smiley face pancakes?

-Do you want sprinkles? -Oh, I love the sprinkles.

-You know I made some homemade whipped cream for you. -Oh, yes!

You know I did! Just try it on.

-No, Mom. -Booker, just try it on!

Listen, I respect Booker. I do.

But, fashion?

It's my business. I know what's best.

So, I got this, America.

-(door shuts) -Hey, ladies.

(both sigh)

Wow. The double plop down.

Which boy left what boy band?

(sigh) I got rejected from

the Conservation and Clean-Up Crew.

Oh, what do they do?

-They sort garbage. -Ew.

-Prepare compost. Fertilize plants-- -Ew.

That's nasty.

I wanna clean. I wanna clean up so bad, Mom.

Well, your room is screaming, "I need to be cleaned.

I need to be cleaned so bad!"

Just wait for your turn on that club.

They just accepted Clarissa Kaywood today,

and she applied the same time as me.

Ah.

The ugly side of being fly.

What's that supposed to mean?

Well, maybe they're judging you

for how you look and what you wear.

I mean, Clarissa did live on a farm before she moved here,

and she still kinda dresses that way.

In flannel shirts, jeans, work boots.

Yeah. I love the way she always smells like fresh milk.

I know, it makes me always want cookies!

-Yeah, right? -(laugh)

But, she dresses like everyone else

in that club when you think about it.

You're right.

I'll dress the part, and I'll show them how good I am.

Yeah, this is great. I'm just gonna have to dress down.

I can help you with that

if you help me with my Cotillion class.

(laughing)

Tess, why are you taking a Cotillion class?

Because it's an "elective,"

and my mom elected that I take it.

"To learn you some manners and how to act real classy."

What do you have to do?

Well, they teach us table etiquette,

manners, ballroom dancing, and how to give a toast.

Oh, that doesn't sound so bad.

Well, I've got a test coming up at the High Tea,

and I've gotta do it in a dress and high heels.

But, if I pass, my mom's gonna let me go

to the L-Train basketball camp. Choo-choo!

Look, everyone! Oh! My diploma's here.

Oh, it's official! I am now a certified...

"Get A Life" life coach! (laughing)

What else is here... (gasp)

I even get my own whistle! (whistling)

Looking good out there! (whistling)

Nice work! Yeah, yeah! (whistling)

Excellent hustle!

(all sigh)

Hey, I guess I picked the right week to start life coaching.

Put me in, Coach! Oh.

Wait, I'm the coach. Yeah!

While Nia and Tess were changing their styles,

Booker was finding his online.

Oh, biker knee jeans?

(laugh) Click!

Oh? Those wind pants are lit!

I know you're camouflaged, but I see you. Hey!

Booker,

I was looking for fabric swatches,

and...

I found this inside of the old trunk.

Mom, you show me that every time

you're looking for swatches.

Booker,

your little human head used to fit

inside of this little hat!

What are you doing?

Throne Threads? Really?

The streetwear site with all the-- the swaggy swag?

If you wanted to dress like a prince,

you shoulda come to the queen, honey.

Mom, they've got some really dope stuff on there.

Mm-hmm.

-(click) -Remove.

-Remove. -(click)

Mom, Nia and I are 13. We can pick out our own clothes.

No, no, no. Nia is not the problem here.

She gets her taste from me.

You get your taste from your daddy.

Suspect.

Remove. Re-- ew.

Remov-- Ooh!

Now, that is cute. That's a pea coat. Click!

A pea coat?

Wow, Mom, why stop there?

Maybe you can find a whole sailor suit.

-No, no, no. -You would look so cute in a sailor suit!

S-A-I-L--

Mom, stop, stop!

I'm old enough to dress myself.

Sweetheart, listen, I'm your mom, all right?

And I know what's best for you. I made you.

And because I'm a...

Fashion designer of children's haute couture!

I know, I know, Mom.

But you, Mommy,

are killing my game!

I know my mom loves me, but...

sometimes, I feel like she doesn't really see me.

All she sees is this.

Hey, Sienna. I know we have a science test,

but I don't think that's what they mean

by knowing all the answers

off the top of your head.

(laughing)

-Funny, Nia. -Why, thank you.

But I'm practicing my posture for the Carver Cotillion.

Oh.

Wow, you look so...

farm fabulous.

This is why I love my job.

These kids always surprise you.

When Nia changed her entire look, I was like,

"Whoa!" Or as the kids here say,

"wowza."

Levi: I've never heard a kid say that.

Oh, they definitely say that.

I wouldn't make up some slang and pass it off

as something cool the kids here are saying. (laughing)

That would be very sad.

One, t--

One, t-- Bruh, I'm leading!

Compost. Compost.

Not compost.

Honestly, Clarissa,

it's like you weren't even born in a barn.

Hey, Delaney.

How can I help the founder, and president,

of the Conservation Crew today?

You can't. Now, go away.

I'm saving the Earth right now.

But, I can help. I'm dressed for it.

No, you're in costume.

I mean, you're not serious about saving the Earth.

You're a poser.

A poser? But, how could you say that?

It's written all over your brand new clothes.

Booker and Auntie Rae are caught

in a clash of two titans.

A battle of wills!

Who will come out on top?

(gasp)

Hey! (giggling)

No need to take your bare head to Throne Threads,

all right? Isn't that cute? Ooh! And I got more.

Look!

Where'd you get that coat from?

Did Charles Barkley leave it in your Scut?

No, I got it from a store.

Oh, where? In the Shaquille O'Neal section?

-(laughing) 'Cause he-- -Booker.

You will grow into it.

All right? I paid a lot of money for this.

Well, I wanted to pay a lot of money for it.

Oh, you still can. 29.99.

(indistinct mumbling)

Oh, it looks like your daddy's money disappeared, huh?

Put it on.

(gasp)

Now, that...

is a throne of threads. I love that! All right!

You look so cute! Let me go get a picture!

Doesn't he look adorable? I'm gonna get my camera!

Yeah, adorable!

You look adorable!

You look miserable.

I just wanna pick out my own clothes.

Yeah. Your mom's not hearing you, huh?

Hey, maybe I can help, huh?

As a recently certified life coach,

I have a unique perspective.

I can help. I've even started my own business.

C-O-U-C-H.

Couch. (chuckle) That's, um,

"Chelsea Offering Up Chelsea's Help."

-(laugh) How am I doing, honey? -Levi: Catchy, Mom.

Oh, thank you, baby! (laugh)

My mission, if I choose to accept it...

which I do, ha,

is to help everyone with their struggle

to express themselves.

And I've already found my first clients.

Okay. We just need to take a deep breath,

and hear each other out, all right?

In through the nose.

(all inhale)

Good. Out through the mouth...

-(indistinct shouting) -Okay!

Since you're both having trouble hearing each other,

I want you to make vision boards. Okay, Booker!

You make a board showing how you think

your mom sees you, right?

-And Rae-- -Mm-hmm...

You make a board showing how you actually see Booker.

Right? And when you're both done, you know,

maybe you'll come to some sort of understanding.

This sounds like a lot of life coach mumbo-jumbo to me.

Oh, Rae! Oh...

That means so much to me.

Thank you.

Hey, Nia, I--

What the Freaky Friday is going on in here?

Uh, Nia let me borrow her dress

for the Cotillion, Ms. B, and...

these high heels that I will never be able to walk in.

Nia, why are you dressed like a '90s indie rock band

from Portland?

Mom, I'm trying to be part of the Conservation Crew,

but the president thinks I'm a poser.

Well, you kinda are posing,

Nia, 'cause this isn't you.

You know, you don't have to change

the way you dress just to impress someone,

and neither do you, Tess.

You've always been your own individual,

but you shoulda come to me for a dress.

Why, Ms. B?

Because I'm a fashion designer of children's haute couture!

No, Mom, we're not trying to impress anyone.

Nia, you are a born leader. You wouldn't even let Booker

beat you into this world. You were leading then,

and you've been leading ever since.

Mom, I just wanna fit in

so I can be a part of this club.

You should really listen to yourself

'cause that's follower talk. You, too--

What!

-Get your friend! -Okay, okay!

Hey, you guys got about $10 in quarters down here.

What?!

All right, on the count of three,

reveal those vision boards! One...

Two-- Rae!

(whistling) Out of bounds!

Whoa, whoa! Chels, are you a-a-a coach or a referee?

(whistling) I'm asking the questions, all right!?

Go to the penalty box!

What?

Just... Just sit on the couch.

All right, Booker, it's your turn to reveal your board.

All right. This is how my mom sees me.

Oh. Oh, it's a blank canvas,

full of potential and unrealized possibilities.

Wow, Booker, that is beautiful.

No, no, no. I mean, she doesn't see or listen to me.

Oh, okay. Rae,

did you hear what Booker just said?

Oh, sorry. I was, uh...

I was thinking I shoulda put Idris Elba on this board.

Now, that's a man.

You know what? Forget it.

Oh, Booker...

-Really, what did I say? -Rae, did you even understand

what Booker was trying to tell you?

He's growing up and he doesn't think you see it.

Do you see it?

He's always been my little baby boy.

Yeah.

You remember when the twins were born, Chels.

How easily Nia just stepped out?

Yeah. Yeah, she was right on schedule.

You know, she even tried to

snap her own umbilical cord.

-Ooh, that girl was strong! -Yeah!

Yeah.

And full of determination. But, Booker?

Booker's complications kept him in the incubator for...

-two weeks. -I remember.

And even though he's getting older, and...

smells worse every single day.

Yeah...

I can't help thinking about the little boy

who was in the incubator that I had to take care of.

Listen, I know he thinks he's old enough

to make his own decisions,

but I'm just not ready for that yet.

I know.

But, kids don't wait until we're ready.

You know? They just...

they grow up.

I guess I can let go a little bit.

-Yeah, a little. Little. -Just a little.

Wow, Chels, you're really good at this life coach thing.

Yeah? Oh, thank you!

(giggling)

Now, um,

how much would you pay me for that session?

I'm just trying to get a good idea of my rates.

What?

After Nia got done icing Tess's face

from her high-heeled fall from grace,

she thought long and hard about what her mom said.

And she did what she always does.

She took action.

Join YOU-nity,

the new group for Carver students

who wanna preserve and beautify their environments.

What's going on here?

Well, you won't let me join the Conservation Crew,

so I'm starting my own club.

Where everyone is welcome.

Actually, I am almost at the 50 signatures I need.

Do you believe you can change the world,

just the way you are?

(scoff) Everyone knows you're a poser.

No, Delaney.

I'm a bold, fashionable woman

who's gonna go to college for environmental science,

and then I'm gonna go to a master's program

for fashion marketing, and then I'm gonna get my PhD

in environmental fashion, and guess what, Delaney?

You're gonna be in school for, like, 100 years?

Yes.

And then I'm gonna change the world.

And I am gonna look amazing doing it.

You, too, Clarissa?

Actually, Clarissa was

the last of your crew to sign.

Everyone else is already on the list.

Why is this happening?

Because, Delaney,

you know how to treat the environment,

but you judge people based on how they look.

And you can't change the world like that.

But,

you can if you join my club.

(sigh)

I love watching the development of a leader.

The metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly.

From peanut to peanut butter.

Nia is so inspiring.

Go Peanuts!

(indistinct chatter)

All right, everyone.

I'll be coming around to give you marks

on everything we've learned for Cotillion,

before we finish up our toasts.

Posture check. Shoulders back,

chin up.

Very good, Sienna.

I know, right?

That's a deduction for a rhetorical question.

Don't phrase it as a question

unless you're waiting for an answer.

Are you serious?!

I'm gonna walk away before you fail our class. Okay.

Etiquette check.

Are you eating shrimp cocktail?

You need a salad fork.

Excellent, Tess.

You know that little fork can double as a screwdriver?

(laughing) And a backscratcher.

I live alone.

Ugh. I hope this isn't the backscratcher.

(tapping)

Okay, time for our last two toasts,

uh, Sienna and Tess.

Sienna, will you start us off?

I'm Sienna,

and thanks to Cotillion class, I've learned that

not only am I beautiful on the outside,

I'm beautiful on the inside.

Thank you!

You're welcome.

That's not a toast.

Cheers?

Thank you, Sienna.

Next up, Tess O'Malley.

Sneakers!?

You just mad.

All right, well, I'm Tess.

I didn't think I was gonna learn anything

in this Cotillion class, but I did.

I learned how important good posture is

and when to use the small little forks at dinner.

But, I also learned that

I don't have to be somebody I'm not.

So, I will continue taking this Cotillion class my way,

in high tops

instead of high heels.

(applause, cheering)

Who needs the box step when you can do the box out step?

One, two, three, one, two, three,

one, two, three... pointer! Cheers!

(applause)

Wowza! Now, that's a toast.

Ugh.

I wasn't told to bring props.

Booker.

Listen,

I didn't mean to dismiss your style. It's just...

It's a little hard for me to see you grow up.

A little?

Okay, a lot.

You're not a little kid anymore.

You are a young man who can

choose his own clothes.

Really, Mom? Do you mean that?

I am going to try really hard

to mean that, yes.

Oh.

Okay, okay, look!

(gasp)

-Mom! -Huh?

The camo wind pants?

-These are dope! -You picked them. I just...

all I did was purchase them. Here, try 'em on.

Well, uh, I am a... a young man now,

so, uh, need to...

-Oh! Got it! Yes! -Yeah.

-Yes, my... -Okay.

My little young man. He's...

Dress all by himself.

This was only a short documentary,

but it turned into a wild ride.

I learned so much from Booker and Nia and Tess,

but they also learned a lot about themselves.

In their own words...

I guess some people do make assumptions about you

based on how you dress,

but it's up to you to decide who you really are.

I'm just Tess. Label-free, high heel-free,

and free to be me, and...

with good posture.

Clothes don't make the man,

but the clothes I picked out make this man

look real good.

I see you, camouflage.

Gonna put you on.

So, what did I learn from this?

I learned that everyone's style is different.

You don't have to dress to impress anyone.

And pick your own style to express yourself.

And I am rockin' this cap!

I am Levi Grayson.

(applause)

(cheering) That's my son!

Levi, would you come up and take a bow?

No! No! No!

Uh, excuse me. (chuckle)

Hey look, I had a vision. Trust me, I'm saving you, brother.

Hey, no one needs to hear Levi talk, right?

(laugh) You guys wanna hear from me, right?

(booing)

All: Levi! Levi! Levi!

Levi! Levi! Levi!

Oh, you all-- you all wanna hear Levi. Ha, ha!

Sorry, buddy. That was my vision.

(pats back)

You like me!

(applause)

Come on up!

Oh, my son,

the little filmmaker.

Yes. Levi, I am going to need a copy

of that for my college applications.

Yo, I am so inspired by us right now.

You know, Rae, we looked pretty good, too.

(scoff) Obviously. Uh, listen here.

Levi, next time you make a documentary,

I'm gonna need you to make it about me. Why? Because I'm a...

All: Fashion designer of children's haute couture!

Yeah, yeah...

Rae: At least you know. At least you know.