It's hard to find new ways to bring the coming-of-age story to life because it's a formula we have seen time-and-time again, but the charming "How to Build a Girl" certainly tries to make it fresh. Directed by Coky Giedroyc, the movie is based on the semiautobiographical novel by Caitlin Moran, who penned the screenplay. Her contribution to the film allows it to have a personal edge and find honest moments through all the main character's adventures.
The movie follows Johanna (Beanie Feldstein), who lives in Wolverhampton, England with her family. Her parents (Paddy Considine and Sarah Solemani) are struggling to get by and raise a family, including two babies. Johanna has big dreams for her future and, in some ways, feels like she is being held back in school. Johanna wants to be a writer and she gets her first paid gig as a music critic at a male-dominated magazine. She doesn't know much about music or how to write about it but she is determined to make money to help her family out of poverty.
Quickly, Johanna realizes her good girl persona won't get her far at the magazine. She recreates her entire image, in order to fit in on the rock beat. She dyes her hair red, wears vests, and makes a top hat a staple of her new look. She is no longer Johanna; she is Dolly Wilde. Even after she changes her entire appearance, Johanna is still trying to fit in as Dolly, which leads to an entire personality overhaul. Dolly is much snarkier than the good-hearted Johanna.
In just a few movies, Feldstein has conquered the good-girl-coming-of-age image in film. As the best friend in "Lady Bird" and one of the leads in last year's "Booksmart," her characters are always playing by the rules with the best intentions. Johanna isn't much different. She excels in school, turning in 33-page essays, much to her teacher's chagrin, and believes the best is yet to come for her. The character types might be the same, but Feldstein doesn't give the same performance. A great deal of the success of "How to Build a Girl" rests with Feldstein's performance. Her charisma and charm are magnetic and she finds new ways to deliver these performance and avoid typecasting. She brings nuance to each role and a new edge to Johanna.
"How to Build a Girl" is an entertaining watch, despite all its familiarity. The movie gets a bit too frenetic in the middle, but Feldstein captivates and demands your attention as a teenager just trying to find out who she is and where she belongs in this world. Who, at one time, couldn't relate to that?
| Movie title | How to Build a Girl |
|---|---|
| Release year | 2020 |
| MPAA Rating | R |
| Our rating | |
| Summary | "Booksmart's" Beanie Feldstein charms in this familiar but entertaining coming-of-age film. |
