My Quest For Harvard

starring: CAILIN PELUSO & BLAKE MANNING

Grace is desperate to get into Harvard, but it looks like a distant dream when her mum’s savings have to go to paying off debts. However a long lost family means a chance at an elite academy - but only if she can beat reigning school genius, Chris Sterling.

REVIEW

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Oh I needed this vertical. Been too long since I laughed out loud. And this did the job. Honestly thank you to everyone who made this. This is why I fell in love with verticals, they distract me out of whatever heavy things are going on in everyday life.

And this also has something to say - we have super smart genius banter, and then an effective illustration of the pressure of the education system.

And everyone is getting better and better. I think one of the joys of verticals is seeing actors at the start of their career learn the trade and grow in confidence and skill over their roles.

And that is exactly what has happened with our leads, with each one you can see them getting better and this is now my fave performance by both of them

@cailinpeluso has nailed how to make her YA heroines distinctive, and has an indefatigable air as she pursues her Harvard dream. She also battles through a terrifying series of outfits including horrible clunky shoes and why oh why are stylists so mean to Cailin? Please give her something nice to wear

I supposed at least she has a wardrobe budget, poor @blakemanning has to spend quite a bit of time without shirt, but does at least get a few smart suits and nice hoody to make up for it. Again Blake is getting better with each project and is given more to work with here, with the snappy dialogue, banter and then jealousy of @quinnholmes

Quinn - said it all in the main review. You came, you acted, you conquered.

@jessicaannlang does great work as jealous step sister, very much enjoyed @coreyrobertelder endlessly fiddling with his glasses when making a point and generally being a horrible snob

Lot of love for the 3 mums
@ashleeeapinosa_ who knows exactly how Chris is feeling, and has the same smiling eyes as her onscreen son
@kelseymckean as the foster mum with a huge heart and @whitneyander5on as the slightly mean step mom who does at least love her kids

So many good moments, the need for a banana cuddly toy, the buzz off at the academic contest, @chiaone and @go4alain stealing the entire thing as the hapless thugs. Yes Michael I saw that run at the end as you were chased off the porch

This whole vertical is magical.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

This is adorable as it has both an academic rivalry, plus a hidden identity pen pals storyline going. Grace and Chris flirt with academic discussions. And always positive to see a male character not threatened by an intelligent female character, but in fact attracted to her because of it. The reveal that they are actually each other’s pen pals is well done (I’ve seen this wasted in verticals). Blake Manning does take his shirt off a lot, I mean they couldn’t even stretch the budget to something for the poster shoot. That bag strap is going to CHAFE. Basically there is something for everyone and you will enjoy!

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

We have a rotating cast of mini villains, largely led by Grace’s new family. Enjoyed some new ideas here - the air cannon rather than the endless cutting clothes with scissors. Yes there are a load of insults, but they are more carefully crafted than usual, and Chris then calls them all out, asking if anyone at the party has actually said something nice about Grace. Basically it is perfectly pitched - the villains are bad enough for you to dislike them, but not OTT. And there are consequences, as the secret filming results in prison time.

😂 Comedy gold:

The single greatest scene I have seen in a vertical this year. Cailin Peluso in a mask, with glasses over it, chasing Michael Sullivan and Alain Navas around the kitchen with a chainsaw. The thugs crashing into each other and knocking each other out is beautifully done. And the music - oh my goodness, perfect use of rights free music. It just adds to the chaos. Basically standing ovation from me. Comedy perfection.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Quinn Holmes. He is only in this vertical for a few episodes near the end, but my word the impact he makes. It is a bit of a red herring, you think his character is there to make moves on Grace, but actually this is a vertical with SOMETHING TO SAY. Yes sit down and take that in. So we have Quinn’s character giving one of the best on screen portrayals of the panic and stress exams can cause, and then moving scenes near the end where everyone reveals their secrets. Although the parents do rather ruin the I’m gay reveal by immediately telling him that he is adopted. Not great parenting. Anyhoo - hurrah for a vertical making a point about the pressures of the schooling system. Top work.

✍🏼 DETAILS

2026

Available on TikTok / Pine Drama