Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger

This film could be described as the Jewish slapstick comic version of "Looking for Alibrandi", the archetypal Australian girl growing up story. Esther, a tiny but bright 14 year old Jewish girl, is shunned by the other girls at her posh Adelaide school. Sunni, a girl from the nearby state school, takes her under her wing, as it were, and Esther starts attending Sunni's school unofficially as a Swedish exchange student. Plenty of pratfalls follow, but the story turns serious towards the finish.

Danielle Catanzareti is brilliant as Esther and just about carries the film. Keisha Castel-Hughes is convincing as Sunni, as is Essi Davis as Ester's mother Grace (who seems to be channeling Bree from "Desperate Housewives" right down to her dress sense.) Tony Collette, in her brief appearance as Sunni's striptease artist mother, is OK but seems to be in the wrong movie, and the other girls at St Posh are, like the girls of St Trinians, too old and too depraved to be authentic.

About half-way through Esther and her pals go nightclubbing. There are a couple of problems with this. First, no bouncer would let someone of Esther's size and youth in to a strip club, even in Adelaide. Second, Esther giving head to a teenage boy who is no more than an acquaintance, in a dingy alleyway as her friends look on, while it fits in with her attempts to be accepted, proved a bit much for some of the audience with 10-12 year old children who walked out at that stage (the film is rated "M" in Australia). This is a pity because otherwise the film is suitable for kids of about 10 years and up.

There are some good comic moments, such as the massed choir of the posh school singing a heavily over-written version of the Yardbirds' "House of the Rising Sun", Esther and her geek brother Jacob's send-up of genteel family dining, and the "Esther cam" view of the Bar-Mitzvah reception. There is also a "magic realism" element which emerges occasionally such as when we are told about the school's tribes. But the ending is a bit unsatisfactory. One again a first-time writer –director has been let loose with some taxpayer's money and the result is an interesting but patchy piece. There is imagination at work here and freshness, but the film doesn't draw the viewer in the way "Looking for Alibrandi" did.

This movie was brilliant! I think what deterred some of the other reviewers here was that they thought it was a children's movie. While it does have 13 year-old girls as the centre characters, trying to fit in and grow up in and out of their school lives, it is definitely not for children.

Believe it or not, I found peculiar things like social-economics to be key parts, as the difference between Sunni and Esther is never looked at directly, but determines Sunni's character and her upset with Esther. It also looks at different types of friendships, family religion and the way we lash out at people for trivial things like *we* having hurt *them*.

I didn't realise it was one of those movies that you either love or hate, but perhaps it is. A must-see, though if you're expecting a light-hearted comedy simply about fitting in, you'll be surprised - it goes into so much more depth than that

A sweet coming of age film from Australia, filmed entirely on set in Adelaide.

Toni Collette was unexpectedly beautiful with minimal makeup "on stage". She usually seems to (last example was her exemplary performances on the acclaimed series, United States of Tara (2009-2011))- but must have especially had fun in this role.

Many strange occurrences left unexplained and things presented as if this is the way it always has been. Also needed more background and backstory; one thing I really wish they explained because it could have made a spectacular side story is what have her the inspiration for her Blueburger "name poem introduction". After all, if it really was merely fumbling in her mind to fill in the blanks, how could she have received it a second time during the penultimate scene in front of the entire school, nearly identically? There was no poster is the room, flashback, etcetera, like there usually would be, inserted during its creation.

Unfortunately, there was an overall inability to consistently hold an audience's interest. Unevenly edited. Many characters were archetypal, cliches, or, frankly, unrealistic caricatures surprisedly representing your equivalent to the high school crowd.

This film did have some excellent musical choices; even mix of classical-including choir and religious- and modern pop to rock with meaningful lyrics. Predictable coming of age story, with the typical be true to who you are, fitting in, struggling to decide who your friends are, learning that being popular is not all there is in life, loyalty to worthwhile family members and true friends. Stand out exploration of early mental health and having to deal with grieving.

Lead actress Danielle Catanzariti was chosen in an open audition for this debut role, bolstered by genuine performances by Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider fame) and veteran actress Toni Collette.

There are a limited number of decent Australian films easily available in America and this was a pleasure to watch, even though- not quite there in a couple qualities- it packed what it took to be an amazing film.

Esther Blueburger's (Danielle Catanzariti) quest begins when she escapes from her Bar Mitzvah party and is befriended by Sunni (Keisha Castle-Hughes), the effortlessly cool girl who is everything Esther thinks she wants to be. With the help of Sunni, Esther goes AWOL from her ordinary life and leaves behind her malfunctioning Jewish family to hang out with Sunni's far breezier and super-hip single mum Mary (Toni Collette) and attend Sunni's forbidden public school as a Swedish exchange student.

Finally, here is an intelligent film for teenage girls! This film manages to be funny and uplifting while exploring some more serious themes, of family and peer relationships. The scriptwriter and director, Cathy Randall, and the star, Danielle Catanzariti are new talents and people to watch in the next generation of Australian film. Congratulations to all involved!

This was an excellent film, it was funny, sad, and at times dramatic, i loved this movie and Ester's little duck, i have the soundtrack and there isn't one song i don't like in it a truly great Australian film.

I could relate to Esther as i am a social outcast (however i have never wanted to fit in) like Esther wants to. The storyline was a little predictable but i didn't really care as i just love the feel good ending.

I enjoyed this movie and urge you to see it all the acting performances were excellent especially the first time actress Danielle Catanzariti who played Esther.

Loved it all the way if you are wondering if you should see it or not. See it!