What Is It?
This is a "Lifetime Original", after school special style movie based on the book "Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls" by Rachel Simmons. The book is actually a psychology text filled with case studies . What the film makers have done here is taken all of the case studies and used them to create a character.
Alexa Vega (of Spy Kids ) plays eighth grader, Vanessa. She's a girl who is smart, pretty, and popular. Still , all that doesn't help. In a world where boys just hit each other --- it's visible and then it’s over with --girls have to resort to a different kind of punching. Despite all of her good qualities and her "in" status, Vanessa is the target of a destructive campaign when she becomes...
How Was It?
It is what it is. You need to get by the made for TV feel. Then you have to just accept the school’s lighting. I have never seen a school this dark ( Apparently one black light every 100 feet is cost effective over the traditional fluorescent lighting.)
After awhile, you get into the characters and realize that the lighting is designed to show you how scary that world can be (It would have been cooler if it started normal and kept getting darker.) Though the movie does create paradigms , most girls will be able to see beyond the instant messaging and web pages and see the attitude that looms in their school experience as well ( My wife, Amy, did say, " Wow , that's what being a teen girl is all about." An interesting observation as that the two writers and the director were male.)
This film may seem exaggerated to many people. Others will just get caught up in the use of technology (cell phones, laptops , instant messenger, web pages) and think the problem lies there. Unfortunately, I think the only really farfetched fabrication is that Vanessa has a friend who is supportive and is able to rise above the bullies so easily.
Is It Good For Kids?
Yes and no. There is some rough language (d---, b----, and a-- a few times) and scary circumstances (Spoiler - prescription drug overdose). Still , the film makers never let you think something is ok ay when it isn't. They are also very good about not showing us more of the young ladies than we need to see. Even when they are trying on "sexy" things , the camera angles are well chosen.
This movie is not listed on Screen it.com.
What About Spiritual Issues?
The characters here are generic, so no one ever professes any religious belief. There is nothing that goes against Christianity in the statements made here.
Another nice touch is that they never use "God" as a cuss word. I did hear them say "gosh" a bunch of times though , so it seems to have been a conscious choice. I don't know if it was due to good morals or a fondness for Napoleon Dynamite , but either way, I will take it.
There is alot of talk about Vanessa being " strong enough" on her own. Though this is stated , any show of power is done with the aid of a good friend and a supportive mother.
Finally , this is a good film to look at for the church community . There is alot the church can do to reach out to these girls, if the people know it's going on. Also, when you have negative conflicts in a church, they often look like this. Like girls, church members don't feel that they can just " duke it out " and they have a constant need for community .
What Is Your Recommendation ?
If you work with girls or you have a daughter between 3rd and 12th grade, you should see this movie. I think if you watch it alone first, it may seem a little far fetched . If you then watch it with your daughter, she may be able to rename all of the characters from her own experience.
The point of the book and this movie is to raise awareness to about female bullying and to give it terms and understanding. This way, schools and parents can deal with what is really happening. Ultimately, I hope that those of you with girls will see the movie and it , in turn, may lead you back to the book.
