Moxie

While having never read the book, the premise of the movie was intriguing. To me, it seemed like the perfect wish fulfillment, a movie about girls fighting back and making waves. Ultimately, I was left feeling a tad empty and like many of the "intersectional" moments in the film were unearned.

Without spoiling the film, I want to say that intersectionality is more than simply including women with various identities. A transgender character is given one line about dead naming, but then isn't given any sort of character arc. Two characters are revealed to be LGBTQ+ in a single kissing scene, but we don't see them really speak to each other the rest of the movie? My cynical side believes this was done so the movie could be shown in more countries by editing out these moments. Much space is given to the main character and her journey with feminism, boys, and her family, which I think was a mistake. There were really fascinating characters that could have built a fantastic, intersectional ensemble cast. Give this cast a plot that investigates the nuanced, experienced journeys of feminine people! Instead we're given throw away lines about gender, disability, ethnicity, race that feel like a screenwriter checking off boxes. Only the character with a mobility disability is ever actually funny with her quips at able-bodied extras.

Despite my qualms with the story we were given, this is a well directed movie with great performances. Only in a few scenes did the absurdity of the plot get in the way of believability (the principal knowing dismisses a few things that at most high schools would have resulted in at least an investigation). I won't watch again but I'm glad this movie exists for today's high schoolers as it portrays a positive representation of a high school cishet relationship, friendship among girls, and (of course) feminism.

Really enjoyed the film. Lots of good messages.

Nice to have teens growing up watching films like this, getting them to think and have discussions on important matters aswell as being a feel good film.

I just watch this movie today. My thoughts in general are that this movie is a relatively good movie. While I did not feel like I related to this movie with my own high school experience three years ago, I know others who would probably say otherwise. This movie gets a really thinking about things, and if there are schools that have become just as toxic as the one shown the movie which is entirely possible, then this movie holds some truth and reality. There are people who will knock this movie saying it's just the classic crazy feminism(the type that says all men are bad and and doesn't shout equality), but this movie I think hits on point of the right type of feminism that promotes unity and respect, and equal treatment of women who don't get heard when they speak up.

This is very much on the nose in its messaging, and there are a lot of more complex ways that this subject matter could be explored. The overt and straightforward way that this tackles extremely complex subject matters will definitely not work for some people. But I think the film is definitely aware of this fact, and instead tries to create a more upbeat and simple portrayal of feminism, and in that regard I think it works well. Amy Poehler's direction is solid, the performances are good and the first two acts in particular are pretty enjoyable. I do think the focus should have been more on some of the side characters, who all things considered were much more interesting, but that doesn't mean that the lead character's arc wasn't pretty strong. It is a bit too long for its own good, and again oversimplifies a complicated topic, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that I had a smile on my face when the credits started to roll. Overall, it's an uplifting and enjoyable if flawed film, and I'd definitely recommend it.

Too many times have we seen the same story about bullying in high school and took it as a necessary part of coming of age. When is it time to speak up? When is it time to say - that's enough? How to stand your ground when others make you believe you are overreacting? Watch it with your daughter and tell her to always hold her head up high.