For people of a certain age, namely yours truly, so 40+, then there is an obvious comparison with this film, and that is to compare it with the great works of John Hughes. Those great films from the 1980's, which gave an insight into teen life over 30 years ago.
I guess that had the target audience foe those films been four years younger, then this is the kind of film that we would have gotten. But the main difference is that the likes of Ferris Bueller, Sloan Peterson, Miss Amanda Jones and many others did not have mobile phones, Instagram, Twitter and much more to help or even hinder their growing up.
We get introduced to Kayla, she is very shy and quiet girl, very unnoticeable school, no friends, and would not say boo to a goose. Yet she makes videos at home, motivational ones to help girls feel more confident about themselves, even though it is something that she is lacking in herself. She lives very constant source of embarrassment of a Father, and soon to finish Eighth Grade, and move to High School.
The film brilliantly showcases all that plagues us when at school and aged 13 / 14. From spots to the fear of not being popular, to having a crush on a boy, to the already mentioned parents from hell.
In the run up to going to High School, the students get to spend a day shadowing a High School student, and Kayla is paired up with Olivia, a very confident and friendly young lady, and she is so welcoming of Kayla, and starts her on the path that will see her come out of her shell.
At the centre of the film is a truly brilliant performance from Elsie Fisher as Kayla, she is the real heart of the film, and she does an outstanding job of conveying every possible hell that we go through at that age. It is a very assured performance, despite being about someone who is so very unsure of themself.
There is something for all of us to relate to, and complimented with great writing and as said, a great central performance....a delight to watch.....8 out of 10
