Another film creeping onto a streaming service in the UK, having had it's potential Cinematic release blighted by Covid closures was "How to Build a Girl", a loose (sometime very loose) adaptation of the first part of Journalist and Author Caitlin Moran's autobiography.
Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein) is a precocious but unpopular girl living in Wolverhampton in the early 90's. Through little more than ability and force of will, she earns herself a job at a London based music magazine, writing reviews. Her career really takes off when she takes on a cruel persona and begins writing scathing and bitter appraisals of the bands of the time. But her success comes at the expense of her relationships with her friends, family and with singer/songwriter John Kite (Alfie Allen).
Not quite nailing the accent, but doing better than most would, Beanie Feldstein does a good job anchoring a film that has flights of extreme fantasy mixed in with its dramatic moments. The film does have its amusing moments, and there's particular joy to be found with the cameos from various people appearing on her "God wall". Alexei Sayle playing Karl Marx is a nice nod for those who know anything about his career.
My trouble was that I don't think there was quite enough story to justify the creation of the film. Admittedly, becoming a respected music critic at 16 whilst living in Wolverhampton is laudable and unusual, but the plot doesn't really have enough to it to make you feel anything other than mildly charmed. Her arrogance, created by so much success so quickly, doesn't really cost her much to overcome, as her family are always reasonably supportive.
As I say, amiable and amusing, but lacking in story beats to make it worthwhile.
Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein) is a precocious but unpopular girl living in Wolverhampton in the early 90's. Through little more than ability and force of will, she earns herself a job at a London based music magazine, writing reviews. Her career really takes off when she takes on a cruel persona and begins writing scathing and bitter appraisals of the bands of the time. But her success comes at the expense of her relationships with her friends, family and with singer/songwriter John Kite (Alfie Allen).
Not quite nailing the accent, but doing better than most would, Beanie Feldstein does a good job anchoring a film that has flights of extreme fantasy mixed in with its dramatic moments. The film does have its amusing moments, and there's particular joy to be found with the cameos from various people appearing on her "God wall". Alexei Sayle playing Karl Marx is a nice nod for those who know anything about his career.
My trouble was that I don't think there was quite enough story to justify the creation of the film. Admittedly, becoming a respected music critic at 16 whilst living in Wolverhampton is laudable and unusual, but the plot doesn't really have enough to it to make you feel anything other than mildly charmed. Her arrogance, created by so much success so quickly, doesn't really cost her much to overcome, as her family are always reasonably supportive.
As I say, amiable and amusing, but lacking in story beats to make it worthwhile.