FilmSnobReviews

Title: How to Build a Girl
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Coky Giedroyc
Starring: Beanie Feldstein, Paddy Considine, Sarah Solemani
Runtime: 1 hr 42 mins

What It Is: Johanna (Feldstein) is a scholastic overachiever of the grandest kind. People pay her to do essays for them. She’s a talented writer with a lot to say. When she applies to review music at a rather large publication she’s initially was laughed out of the building. When she’s offered a shot she crafts an alter ego and reinvents herself as Dolly Wilde. But will the young Johanna bit off more than she can chew. With her every step she’s deeper and deeper into this very different very new world.

What We Think: Beanie Feldstein is absolutely marvelous here. We already knew after Booksmart that she was extraordinarily talented. Here she’s allowed to flex the full weight of her talent. There’s a certain something about this film that just brought a smile to my face, even in it’s darker moments. Some force that told me there’s a light that never goes out…as Moz once said. There’s no denying that this is one of 2020’s biggest and best surprises. Coky Giedroyc takes a stab at something a bit bigger and this fits her perfectly. I think I want to see what she does next. Caitlin Moran..who’s book this is based on adapts her pages to film wonderfully. It just works.

Our Grade: A-, There isn’t much left to say except…see this. It’s such a great tale wonderfully told. If Beanie Feldstein doesn’t keep getting work there’s something wrong with everyone…she’s THAT good. This is a funny and heartwarming film. Not one that I expected to be so damned good. Also, there’s really something to the honesty and interesting route this story takes to its conclusion. Even if you think you’ve seen this before it’ll surprise you.