My Girl Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A hypochondriac girl who lives in a funeral home tries to sabotage her dad’s love life, then bees happen.

🍿 My Girl: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction to Vada’s World

Set in 1972, we meet Vada Sultenfuss, an 11-year-old girl living in Madison, Pennsylvania. Her life is far from ordinary; her mother died shortly after childbirth, and her father, Harry, runs a funeral parlor out of their house. This proximity to death has made Vada a hypochondriac, constantly worried about her health. She also has a close friendship with Thomas J. Sennett, an unpopular boy who is allergic to seemingly everything.

Summer Adventures and First Crush

The summer brings new experiences for Vada. She develops a crush on her English teacher, Mr. Bixler, and enrolls in his summer writing class in an attempt to impress him. Meanwhile, Harry hires Shelly DeVoto, a makeup artist for the deceased, who becomes a friend and confidante to Vada. This is also the summer where Vada and Thomas J. navigate their friendship and explore what romance could mean.

Complications and Heartbreak

As the summer progresses, Vada’s life becomes more complicated. Her father and Shelly begin dating, which makes Vada feel threatened and jealous. She attempts to sabotage their relationship but is unsuccessful. Adding to her emotional turmoil, she experiences her first period and struggles to talk to her father about it. To make matters worse, she later finds out Mr. Bixler is engaged.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Vada Sultenfuss (Anna Chlumsky): An intelligent and hypochondriacal 11-year-old girl who is obsessed with death and experiences significant life changes during one summer.
• Thomas J. Sennett (Macaulay Culkin): Vada’s best friend, an unpopular and sensitive boy who is allergic to many things, providing unwavering support and companionship.
• Harry Sultenfuss (Dan Aykroyd): Vada’s awkward and emotionally distant widowed father, who runs a funeral parlor and struggles to connect with his daughter.
• Shelly DeVoto (Jamie Lee Curtis): A kind and quirky makeup artist hired by Harry who brings warmth and guidance into Vada’s and Harry’s lives.
• Mr. Bixler (Griffin Dunne): Vada’s English teacher and first crush, who teaches a summer writing class that she attends to impress him.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Vada: “Where are his glasses? He can’t see without his glasses!” – Vada’s heart-wrenching outburst at Thomas J.’s funeral, highlighting her grief and the sudden loss of her best friend.
• Shelly DeVoto: “They’re dead. All they have are their looks.” – Shelly says this when seeing that Harry and Vada need an outlet and takes the job as a makeup artist for the dead bodies, she cheerfully gleams.
• Vada: “Weeping willow with your tears running down, why do you always weep and frown?” – Vada’s poem is a tribute to Thomas J, symbolizing her grief and acceptance of his death.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $17,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $59,489,799
• Worldwide Gross: $59,492,553

💥 My Girl Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I first saw ‘My Girl’ when I was around Vada’s age, and it totally hit me hard. I remember bawling my eyes out at the end, which I usually don’t do during movies. This movie is a good mix of humor and sadness. I think it captures the awkwardness of growing up, and the loss of a loved one is a punch in the gut, but, overall, it’s such a touching film. It is so relatable and makes you feel like you’re right there with Vada, experiencing her highs and lows. Every time I watch it, it reminds me of that innocence and heartbreak of being a kid.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of coming-of-age stories”
  • “Viewers who appreciate emotional dramas”
  • “Those looking for a nostalgic film set in the 1970s”
  • “People who enjoy movies with strong female leads”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Death of a child”
  • “Themes of grief and loss”
  • “Mild thematic elements”

Professional Reviews

• Common Sense Media: “A sweet, touching movie about the trials of growing up, loss, and love, particularly well-suited for tweens and their parents. The performances are fantastic, with a believable portrayal of childhood friendship and a sensitive exploration of grief.
• AllMovie: “A touching and sensitive coming-of-age story. Anchored by strong performances from Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin, the film explores themes of death, loss, and first love with a delicate touch.
• Timeout: “A bittersweet and moving film about growing up and facing loss. My Girl balances humor and heartbreak, offering a poignant portrayal of childhood friendships and the challenges of adolescence.

Audience Reactions

The chemistry between Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin is incredibly genuine and heartwarming.: Viewers universally praise the film for its realistic and emotional portrayal of childhood friendship.

The ending is undeniably sad and moving, evoking strong emotional responses from viewers.: Audiences are deeply moved by the film’s exploration of grief and loss.

Overall Consensus: A touching coming-of-age story that balances humor and sadness, with strong performances and relatable themes, making it a memorable film for many viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was shot in Bartow, Florida, to achieve the small-town 1970s feel. The Sultenfuss House/Funeral Parlor is located at 555 East Stanford Street.”
• “Anna Chlumsky’s performance was widely praised, with many critics noting her ability to portray a complex and multi-dimensional character, setting a high standard for child performances.”
• “Macaulay Culkin’s role as Thomas J. was a departure from his more comedic roles, showcasing his versatility as an actor.”
• “The filmmakers cast Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis to add charm and warmth to their roles as Harry and Shelly, respectively.”

🖥️ How to Watch My Girl?

My Girl is available for streaming on platforms like Paramount+ and can be rented or purchased through services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable options. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed My Girl, you might like these similar films:

• Now and Then (1995): A group of female friends reminisce about a formative summer in their childhood, dealing with similar themes of friendship, loss, and growing up.
• Stand by Me (1986): Another coming-of-age story set in the past, focusing on a group of young friends confronting mortality and the complexities of friendship.
• The Sandlot (1993): A nostalgic look at childhood friendships and summer adventures, capturing the innocence and carefree spirit of youth.

🛒 My Girl Related Products

• My Girl (Blu-ray): Own the classic movie in high definition. Experience the heartwarming story and memorable performances like never before. Includes special features and behind-the-scenes content.
• My Girl Movie Poster: High-quality reproduction of the original movie poster. A great way to decorate your room and show your love for ‘My Girl’. Perfect for fans of classic coming-of-age movies.
• The Way We Were: The Very Best of The Temptations [Music CD]: Features the hit song “My Girl” and many more of The Temptations greatest songs.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “My Girl” – performed by The Temptations
• “Bad Moon Rising” – performed by Creedence Clearwater Revival
• “The Name Game” – performed by Shirley Ellis

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Outfield – Your Love (Official HD Video)

Immerse yourself in the iconic love song that perfectly encapsulates the movie’s emotional core. The official music video will transport you back to the film’s heartwarming moments.

That’s my girl 🏃‍♀️🥈

Rediscover the movie’s most touching moments through this heartfelt fan-made tribute. It’s a testament to the enduring impact of the film on its audience.

WILL YOU BE MY GIRL – Official Video (Written by Eric Az) | Alex B.

Experience the power of music and love in this official music video. Its heartfelt lyrics and captivating visuals complement the film’s exploration of human connection.

✨ Rate