Como Se Tornar Influente

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.

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.

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

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.

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.