How to Build a Girl

This film tells a bittersweet coming of age story. I am so glad she finds herself! The protagonist is really engaging, and you just can't help but be drawn to her story. I really liked it.

Having a 27 year old American play a Northern English teens is a complete miscast. Distracted me the entire movie.

How To Build A Girl was an enjoyable, but uneven experience. The story focuses on Johanna, a teenage nerd coming from a Wolverhampton council estate, and gaining a spot at a top music magazine. As the film progresses, Johanna learns the lesson that all critics, editorial columnists, and feature writers must face - her opinions and words on the page have real life consequences.

The execution was a bit of a mixed bag, right down to the character development. While I personally related to the character of Johanna and her discovery of an interest in writing, I found her attempt at moral grandstanding in the middle of the film unsympathetic and off-putting. A good film for what it is, but it could've been better. 6/10.

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.

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.