The Diary of a Teenage Girl

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: August 7, 2015

6.5	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 125 Ratings

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User Reviews

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TheDavoAug 29, 2015

The critical reviews are well above the actual merit of this film. It's a decent film but not an 87. Maybe a 60 + / -.

The initial scenes leading to the sex are ridiculously bad. Whoever wrote them did a terrible job. No 15 or 16 yearThe critical reviews are well above the actual merit of this film. It's a decent film but not an 87. Maybe a 60 + / -.

The initial scenes leading to the sex are ridiculously bad. Whoever wrote them did a terrible job. No 15 or 16 year old girl would talk or act that way. Those scenes are just preposterous and certainly affected my view off the rest of the film. The scenes where the mother found out and reacted were also preposterous and badly written. Again, no adult woman cuckolded like this would react in those ways.

An interesting story in spite of the key scenes that made no sense. The actress in the lead role did a good job and was believable and likable much of the time. The 2 adult leads were pretty lightweight and their parts were quite undeveloped and 2 dimensional.

Might be worth a trip to the cheap cineplex but not as a first run movie. And don't go for Kristen Wiig. She sleep walked her way through this one.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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foxgroveAug 7, 2015

‘I feel like I’m nothing’ states sexually precocious teen Minnie Goetz towards the end of this quirky, but ultimately overrated and disappointing adaptation of Phoebe Gloeckner’s autobiographical novel. ‘Nothing’, may not be quite what one is‘I feel like I’m nothing’ states sexually precocious teen Minnie Goetz towards the end of this quirky, but ultimately overrated and disappointing adaptation of Phoebe Gloeckner’s autobiographical novel. ‘Nothing’, may not be quite what one is left feeling about the film itself, but it is fair to say that the longer it plays on screen the more diluted becomes the impact. What starts out as promising, if somewhat superficial slice of life, begins to fall apart in the last 20 minutes as the repercussions of Minnie’s sexual shenanigans ensures fall out for all the main characters. Taking place in San Francisco circa 1976 the story is centred on a 15 year old teenager, Minnie, embarking on various sexual adventures that lead her on the path to womanhood. Performances are really good with special mention to Kristen Wiig who makes much of her few scenes as the less than perfect mother. As Minnie, Bel Powley (often topless) is convincing as the not particularly attractive teen craving attention which ultimately jolts her into adulthood. Alexander Skarsgaard, also her mother’s boyfriend, is very likeable as the object of her attentions, even though his actions demonstrate weakness and are in reality contemptible to say the least. The film is definitely different, with a reasonable script which possesses more than a few moments that amuse. Sadly, however, the movie just doesn’t deliver on one’s expectation.… Expand

7 of 11 users found this helpful74

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TVJerrySep 3, 2015

Because it's set in the free-love, drug-drenched culture of 1976 San Francisco, the central premise is treated more revelatory than shocking. The 16-year-old "girl" (Bel Powley) has an affair with her mom's (Kristen Wiig) boyfriend (AlexanderBecause it's set in the free-love, drug-drenched culture of 1976 San Francisco, the central premise is treated more revelatory than shocking. The 16-year-old "girl" (Bel Powley) has an affair with her mom's (Kristen Wiig) boyfriend (Alexander Skarsgård). Her sexual obsession and artistic awakening are explored thru her first-person narration (which becomes monotonous), social encounters and animated segments (in the underground comix style of Aline Kominsky-Crumb). Powley credibly captures the extremes of adolescent exhilaration, insecurity and longing. Filmmaker Marielle Heller has chosen to play down the obvious fashion and musical references to the period, in favor of a focus on the personal experience. There's no denying that this frank, provocative account may shock some, but it's presented without judgment and with sensitive insight. Interesting film credit: joint roller!… Expand

3 of 5 users found this helpful32

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tvnewsguidoFeb 28, 2016

It's not shocking or all that insightful but it's okay for what it is.

The 70s drug and free love culture are on full display. Some might find the events depicted in the film shocking but for anyone even slightly familiar with the period,It's not shocking or all that insightful but it's okay for what it is.

The 70s drug and free love culture are on full display. Some might find the events depicted in the film shocking but for anyone even slightly familiar with the period, this is well-trod ground. The performances are good bordering on great but, over all, this one was just sort of meh for me.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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smiyamotJan 23, 2016

The movie making was different, artistic, innovative, but the story line was not. Seemed repetitive and stereotypical of the 60's culture in San Francisco. One 15 year olds life immersed in those times. So what? Do we get any inkling ofThe movie making was different, artistic, innovative, but the story line was not. Seemed repetitive and stereotypical of the 60's culture in San Francisco. One 15 year olds life immersed in those times. So what? Do we get any inkling of whether this was a good or bad way to grow up? It was just a diary of what happened, no conclusion or analysis. This was based on a book so I'm assuming it followed that story line, but not every book should be made into a movie.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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JoeCoolMay 9, 2020

A fifteen year old girl discovers her sexuality, mostly with a man over twice her age and it's pretty graphic with quite a lot of nudity. Well, with that out of the way, it is about a teenage girl becoming a woman so you shouldn't watch thisA fifteen year old girl discovers her sexuality, mostly with a man over twice her age and it's pretty graphic with quite a lot of nudity. Well, with that out of the way, it is about a teenage girl becoming a woman so you shouldn't watch this at all if you have a problem with seeing naked people. San Francisco in the seventies is the stage for the sexual adventures of Minnie, her mother and boyfriend that ultimately lead nowhere really. The story doesn't really deliver, it just happens and ends up feeling rather meh.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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