Brendan Stengel’s blog

The secrets contained in “The Secret Life of Girls” will be startling only to anyone who has never been or known a girl, and has not in the least seen a film or TV show. Its dull parade of commonplaces death in the direction of insights quickly grows wearying, with even-handed tolerably sparks provided by a bright company to keep auds awake. Theatrical future looks dismal, although wire berths could prove appropriate for this distaff “Wonder Years” package.

Download full mp3 songs, collect mp3 on your PC, find out bio facts about artists, download free wallpapers and much more. Listen to Dead Kennedys online.

Very thin tale centers on 15-year-old Natalie (effective Majandra Delfino) adrift in 1973 suburbs. It’s kid-business as usual until she finds herself caught between her unfulfilled hippie mom (Linda Hamilton, in a nice change of pace) and psych prof dad (Eugene Levy, doing some of his subtlest work, despite the cartoonish proceedings) when he’s caught dallying with one of his college students. Her dumb-lug older brother (Aeryk Egan) isn’t much help, and neither is her younger one (Andrew Ducote), since he’s given a series of silly hats instead of a personality. There’s also her foxy friend, Kay (Meagan Good, of “Eve’s Bayou”), but she’s interested only in following some cool frat guys, including one hottie (Keith Bogart) who actually has his eye on the bespectacled egghead Natalie. Naturally, the specs come off before things wind down, and there’s some a-growin’ up down by the old fishin’ hole.

Sadly, there’s also lame sitcom slapstick and a lot of feeble yelling instead of wit. First-time helmer Holly Goldberg Sloan (who penned such schlocky retreads as “Angels in the Outfield” and “Mighty Joe Young”) doesn’t display many storytelling skills — unless you find face-value exposition via voiceover a fresh device. Ralf Bode’s color-rich lensing looks fine, but every third shot is tilted to one side, for no explicable reason. End-credit seg playing catch-up with the characters adds a nice touch.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS