LONDON: Your enjoyment of “How To Build A Girl” will depend greatly on one thing: whether or not you can get past American actor Beanie Feldstein’s attempts at a regional British accent (Wolverhampton, specifically).
In all other areas, this big-screen adaptation of journalist Caitlin Moran’s semi-autobiographical, coming-of-age novel pitches it just about right. There’s an engaging protagonist to root for, a stellar ensemble cast, a lovingly nostalgic look back at the UK’s vibrant music scene of the Nineties, and a well-judged warts-and-all message buried at the heart of the movie.
“How To Build A Girl” is a big-screen adaptation of journalist Caitlin Moran’s semi-autobiography. (Supplied)
Feldstein plays Johanna Morrigan, a 16-year-old aspiring writer who dreams of a bigger life than her well-intentioned parents (played with fond rawness by Paddy Considine and Sarah Solemani) ever had. Johanna applies for a job at a London-based music paper and (somewhat unbelievably) lands the gig as a music critic, moves out of her family’s crowded council house and down to the ‘big city,’ dyes her hair red and adopts the moniker Dolly Wilde.
As Dolly carves our a reputation for herself in the hedonistic music scene, Johanna’s family see her slip away from them, as the girl they remember faces off against a chauvinistic culture only too quick to prey on her naivety.
The film is directed by Coky Giedroyc. (Supplied)
That meandering accent aside, Feldstein is good value, imparting Johanna with enough smarts to hold her own, but also with a desperate need for acceptance and validation that is all too relatable. The characters she meets (from Alfie Allen’s good-natured musician to Frank Dillane’s sleazy journalist) pepper the lovingly recreated Nineties music industry with personality, and there’s a number of great blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameos from some of the biggest names in UK entertainment.
The feel-good ending is a little telegraphed, and some of the more interesting relationships from Moran’s novel get shortchanged. But there’s enough to love about “How To Build A Girl” to make you forgive its shortcomings. Accents included.
0 التعليقات:
إرسال تعليق