How to Build a Girl Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A poor British teen builds a career by being mean until she realizes being nice is cooler, all while talking to posters of historical figures.

🍿 How to Build a Girl: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Johanna Morrigan

Johanna Morrigan, played by Beanie Feldstein, is a bright but awkward teenager living in Wolverhampton, England in the early 1990s. Coming from a working-class family, she often escapes into her vivid imagination. Johanna dreams of becoming a writer and breaking free from her humdrum life.

Becoming Dolly Wilde

Inspired by her brother and motivated by a desire to help her financially struggling family, Johanna reinvents herself as Dolly Wilde, a provocative and brutally honest music critic. She lands a job at a prominent music magazine and quickly gains notoriety for her scathing reviews. Dolly embraces a ‘bad girl’ persona to succeed in the male-dominated music scene.

The Price of Fame

As Dolly Wilde’s popularity rises, Johanna becomes increasingly detached from her family and friends. Her ruthless critiques damage the careers of aspiring musicians and strain her relationships. She wins ‘Arsehole of the Year’, highlighting her moral descent. The rapid pace of her newfound success leads to an existential crisis.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein): A bright and imaginative teenager from a working-class family who reinvents herself as the music critic Dolly Wilde to escape her humdrum life.
• Pat Morrigan (Paddy Considine): Johanna’s optimistic but failed musician father, who struggles to provide for his large family.
• John Kite (Alfie Allen): An earnest and talented singer-songwriter who forms a connection with Johanna and becomes a subject of her writing.
• Krissi Morrigan (Laurie Kynaston): Johanna’s cool and supportive brother, who encourages her writing aspirations.
• Bianca Morrigan (Cleo): Johanna’s mother who struggles with post-natal depression after giving birth to twins.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Johanna Morrigan: “So, what do you do when you’ve built yourself, only to realize you’ve built yourself with the wrong things? You rip it up and start again.” – Johanna’s realization about rebuilding her identity after experiencing the negative impact of her ‘Dolly Wilde’ persona.
• Johanna Morrigan: “Marvel over how you tried to keep the loud, drunken, laughing, cutting, panicking, unbearably present secret of yourself – when really you were just about as secret as the moon.” – Johanna reflecting on the challenges of self-discovery and embracing her true self.
• Johanna Morrigan: “Invent, invent, invent. What will eventually be you?” – Said at the end, as the character comes to terms with the constant change and reinvention of the self.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $70,632
• Worldwide Gross: $70,632

💥 How to Build a Girl Reviews

Personal Review

I really enjoyed watching Johanna find her voice, even if it meant making some cringe-worthy choices along the way. Beanie Feldstein was fantastic! The scenes with her ‘Wall of Gods’ were hilarious, and I loved the soundtrack. The ending felt a bit rushed, but overall, it’s a fun and heartwarming film about growing up and finding yourself. I left the film feeling that it was a wonderful example of how to get back up after you make mistakes.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
  • “Viewers interested in British indie music scene of the 90s”
  • “Those who enjoy films with strong female leads”
  • “Fans of Beanie Feldstein’s work”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Suggestive content”
  • “References to sexual themes”
  • “Some mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Feldstein shines as Johanna, capturing both her awkwardness and ambition. The film, adapted from Caitlin Moran’s novel, is a vibrant and funny coming-of-age story with a strong soundtrack and heartfelt moments. While it occasionally veers into familiar territory, Feldstein’s performance keeps it engaging.
• The Guardian: “A delightful and charming film with a great performance from Beanie Feldstein. The film explores themes of identity, class, and ambition with humor and heart. However, the film’s reliance on familiar tropes can make the story feel somewhat predictable.
• Empire Magazine: “A fun, vibrant, and heartwarming adaptation of Caitlin Moran’s beloved novel. Feldstein is excellent, and the film features a fantastic soundtrack. While the film sometimes struggles to balance its comedic and dramatic elements, it remains a highly enjoyable watch.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers loved Beanie Feldstein’s performance and the film’s humor.: Most people enjoyed the film’s coming-of-age story and relatable themes.

The soundtrack was a highlight for many viewers.: The music of the 90s were nostalgic and enhanced the viewing experience.

Overall Consensus: A charming and humorous coming-of-age story with a strong lead performance, but some find it predictable.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The screenplay was adapted by Caitlin Moran from her semi-autobiographical novel of the same name.”
• “Beanie Feldstein, an American actress, plays the British character Johanna Morrigan, which generated some debate about casting choices.”
• “The film includes cameos from notable actors playing historical and fictional figures who appear as imaginary mentors to Johanna.”

🖥️ How to Watch How to Build a Girl?

How to Build a Girl is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. Check Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for rental or purchase options. Availability may vary depending on your region. Some streaming services may require a subscription.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed How to Build a Girl, you might like these similar films:

• Almost Famous (2000): A coming-of-age story set in the world of music journalism, exploring similar themes of self-discovery and identity.
• Sing Street (2016): Another coming-of-age story set in the 1980s, featuring a teenager who starts a band to impress a girl, capturing the spirit of youthful rebellion and self-expression.
• Pride (2014): Set in the same era, this film also explores themes of identity, social change, and finding your voice through activism and community.
• Booksmart (2019): Features Beanie Feldstein in another coming-of-age role, exploring themes of female friendship and self-discovery with a comedic touch.

🛒 How to Build a Girl Related Products

• How to Build a Girl (Paperback): The original Caitlin Moran novel that inspired the movie, delving deeper into Johanna’s journey and inner thoughts.
• 90s Music Compilation CD: A collection of classic 90s indie and alternative tracks, capturing the spirit and sound of the film’s era.
• Movie Poster: A high-quality print of the official movie poster, capturing the film’s vibrant and quirky aesthetic.
• DIY Wall of Gods Kit: Printable poster collection of influential writers and musicians to emulate Johanna Morrigan’s ‘Wall of Gods’

🎧 Soundtrack

How to Build a Girl features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Connection” – performed by Elastica
• “You Love Us” – performed by Manic Street Preachers
• “Annie (Tomorrow)” – performed by Original Soundtrack

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Caitlin Moran shows us How to Build a Girl

Ever wondered what inspired the movie “How to Build a Girl”? Check out this interview with Caitlin Moran, the author herself! She shares some super interesting insights into the book and the character of Johanna, you’ll totally see the movie in a new light after watching.

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