Better Nate Than Ever (film)

Did You Know?

• The film was removed from Disney+ on May 26, 2023, as part of a content removal purge under Disney CEO Bob Iger.
• It was re-released on multiple video-on-demand platforms on September 26, 2023.
• The film was released under the Walt Disney Pictures banner instead of 20th Century Studios.

Plot

Nate Foster is a thirteen-year-old from Pittsburgh with his sights set on becoming a Broadway star. His parents are supportive, but his older brother Anthony finds Nate's unusual behavior off-putting. At school, Nate gets bullied and is overlooked for lead parts in the school play, finding comfort only in his friend Libby, who cheers him on even though she gets stage fright herself. Libby tells Nate about tryouts for a Broadway version of Lilo & Stitch, but he isn't sure he can go.

When his parents go away, Nate pretends to stay at Libby's house, and the two secretly take a bus to New York City. At the audition site, they discover a parent or guardian is required. By coincidence, Nate's aunt Heidi, a struggling actress, is there to audition for A Solitary Woman, and Nate claims she is his guardian. Heidi is glad to see him but tries to call her sister Sherrie; Nate tricks her into thinking he has permission, so she lets him audition.

During his tryout, Nate attempts a knee dance from Fiddler on the Roof but rips his pants and feels humiliated. As he gets ready to go back to Pittsburgh, he finds out he earned a callback. Libby confesses her feelings for him, but Nate kindly explains he does not see her that way. He stays for the callback and delivers a monologue that wows the casting directors.

Production

Lisa Fragner secured the rights to adapt the book into a feature film under Fox Family. In January 2021, The Walt Disney Company held an open casting call for the film adaptation. By March 2021, the film was green-lit, with production scheduled for New York City under the working title Pittsburgh. Tim Federle, author of the original novel series, served as writer and director.

Marc Platt and Adam Siegel produced, with Platt co-producing under his Marc Platt Productions banner with Walt Disney Pictures. In June 2021, Lisa Kudrow joined the cast as Aunt Heidi; primary characters Nate and Libby were cast with unnamed actors. By August 2021, Norbert Leo Butz joined in a supporting role. On November 12, 2021, Rueby Wood was announced as Nate Foster, with Joshua Bassett and Aria Brooks cast as Anthony and Libby.

Federle expanded the roles of Libby and Anthony from the book. Because the film was a Disney production, he changed the musical Nate auditions for from a fictional version of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial to a fictional musical version of Lilo & Stitch. Principal photography began in New York City in June 2021, with additional filming at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, and at the New Amsterdam Theatre.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, 83% of 47 critics gave positive reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The site's critical consensus called it a modern musical with old-fashioned charm that hits heartwarming high notes with a message of self-acceptance. Metacritic assigned a score of 66 out of 100 based on 6 critics, indicating generally favorable reviews. Courtney Howard of Variety wrote that the film's heart is in the right place, is LGBT-positive in representation, and acts as a love letter to musical artistic expression.

Petrana Radulovic of Polygon called it a delight and an ode to theater kids. Amy Nicholson of The New York Times praised the performances and script but said the movie does not engage explicitly enough with LGBT themes. Jennifer Green of Common Sense Media rated it 4 out of 5, highlighting positive messages about staying true to yourself and accepting others. Nell Minow of RogerEbert.com gave it 3.5 out of 4, praising the cast, humor, and positive depiction of musicals.

Screen Rant rated it 3 out of 5, noting charm, supportive relationships, and a love of musical theater. Jason Struss of Digital Trends called it a slight but exhaustingly charming throwaway movie, fine for kids and bearable for parents.