It is refreshing to see what could be classed as a ‘chick flick’ (if you have to use the outdated phrase) have such funny, relatable characters and situations. It adds to the great trend of female directed, female written stories about women (Lady Bird, Booksmart). Semi-autobiographical, written by Caitlin Moran (The Times), it follows the life of teenage Johanna Morrigan as she takes her first step out of her working-class childhood into the world of music journalism and heartbreak.
Beanie Feldstein stars as Johanna with a surprisingly convincing Wolverhampton accent, and is joined by a star-studded British cast including Paddy Considine, Sarah Solemani, Alfie Allen and Chris O’Dowd. The film takes a look at the newfound power of adulthood and being the breadwinner for the whole family at only sixteen. One of other key themes is the sexism in the music journalism industry and how much reinvention women have to do in order to be taken seriously and even then, it is rarely enough.
It’s a story that women can see themselves reflected in, with scenes like having your period at school, to post-natal depression. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously and it gets some good messages across in a funny and heart-warming way.
‘How To Build A Girl’ is available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Pep Reviews 