Comment je suis devenue une jeune femme influente

It's 90's England. Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein) is a 16 year old outcast at school. She talks to her imaginary famous mentors. Her poor family lives in Wolverhampton. Her father Pat (Paddy Considine) still dreams of being a 70's rock star. Her mother is worn out after having twins. She gets a magazine job and journeys to find herself as music reporter Dolly Wilde.

Of course, this reminds me of Almost Famous. There is a lot in common. This has some of the same autobiographic touches with a coming-of-age story within the music journalism industry. There is one thing that I can't get over. Beanie is trying to be British and it's freaking weird. It sets this off on a note which it does recover eventually. I can't see how there isn't a British teenage girl itching to play this part. Johanna does go full evil before learning her lesson. This is good although I kept thinking that this could have been a breakout performance for an unknown British teen.

5/10 - usually Beanie Feldstein doesn't disappoint, but this movie fell flat on most accounts (and don't even get me started on Beanie's accent)

I love Beanie. But why, in many films and TV shows that are set in and around the Black Country area, do they not cast actors from the same area, or who can at least do the accent? Paddy's accent was OK. But that's it. I'm from Wolverhampton and I was disgusted and cringing throughout the whole film.

Only 5 stars because it was a poor film anyway.

This film really charmed me. Though the main character's accent wandered a little, I forgave it very quickly because the story and the protagonist's journey was really engaging. There are plenty of laughs and heart breaking moments along the way and I left having been thoroughly entertained.

It's true this is a "coming of age" film but why is that touted as being such a bad thing? This has an excellent cast and, although stretches the realms of belief at times, is very watchable with likeable characters. I nearly didn't watch it based on the reviews and was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed it. It's not going to break any records but it's worth whiling away an afternoon to.