Read Positive User Reviews for The Diary of a Teenage Girl

10

BrankTheDankestOct 8, 2015

Good, but much less child friendly than the Wimpy Kid series it spun off from. Pretty good, would recommend, but make sure you put the kiddies to bed first!

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

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8

Grncateyes66Sep 26, 2015

I just finished binge watching all 7 seasons of True Blood and left totally fascinated by Alexander Skarsgard. I was curious to see if he could act on the big screen. Honestly, the first 10 minutes I was uncomfortable with the content whichI just finished binge watching all 7 seasons of True Blood and left totally fascinated by Alexander Skarsgard. I was curious to see if he could act on the big screen. Honestly, the first 10 minutes I was uncomfortable with the content which I expected.

This movie totally captures the mind of a 15 year old teenage girl. I should know since I was one. Bel Powley was so believable as Minnie. I loved her performance and can't wait to see more of her movies. Alexander Skarsgard did a good job with his character, Monroe, as well. It would have so easy to let that character come off sleazy. By the end of the film, I had a great deal of empathy for Monroe.

This film is not about morality but the sexual awakening of a teenage girl. Unfortunately, a forever taboo subject in most societies.

I enjoyed the film. I only gave it an 8 since the last 10-15 minutes fell apart for me.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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9

EpicLadySpongeApr 1, 2016

Except for the overused sex scenes in this movie (which is the majority of this movie), the Diary of a Teenage Girl will share a diary for only once and it'll never be read again.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

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8

BrianMcCriticJan 23, 2016

This is a great film about teenage sexuality and the desire to just be loved. All the performances are great and you really feel the 70's vibe. The minor flaw in the film is the desire to add the dream like elements in animation, it justThis is a great film about teenage sexuality and the desire to just be loved. All the performances are great and you really feel the 70's vibe. The minor flaw in the film is the desire to add the dream like elements in animation, it just seemed unnecessary. Overall this isn't enough to hurt the films quality all that much. A-… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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10

BettySpinksAug 25, 2015

Love this film. I highly recommend it. Beautifully written, filmed and acted. Very human and often very funny. Lots of LOLs from me and everyone around us. If you consider yourself prude, don't go see it. If you judge people--in real lifeLove this film. I highly recommend it. Beautifully written, filmed and acted. Very human and often very funny. Lots of LOLs from me and everyone around us. If you consider yourself prude, don't go see it. If you judge people--in real life and/or in fiction--don't go see it. It's that simple.

The film is not transcendent or even that deep. But the subject matter is dark, and I think the creators hit the perfect tone. There is absolutely nothing cynical about this film.

Told from the girl's point of view, it's simply the true story of a lonely 15-year-old girl who loves to draw and LOVES to have a lot of consensual sex with her mother's pathetic 35-year-old boyfriend. Will she change? I already told you this isn't a cynical film.

I understand it'll be impossible for many people to separate the (illegal) deed from the brilliantly told story, so I'll address this review to people who are on the fence (because open-minded people will see it and judgmental people won't):

If you think you'd like to see this film, but you're not sure? Go see it.

Don't be scared away. Yes, the material is a little uncomfortable at first--and I'm a dirty freak (whoa, where'd that come from?)--but take a couple of breaths like I did, and remember that this is a true story. Enjoy the honesty. Enjoy the non-judgment. Enjoy some empathy. There's so much cynicism on tv and on the internet. You deserve a break. Go see this movie and show yourself some love.… Expand

10 of 12 users found this helpful102

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9

alandaviddoaneSep 18, 2015

The Diary of a Teenage Girl is in my top-five all time great graphic novels, and I have felt that way for over a decade now. So I had pretty high hopes that Marielle Heller’s film adaptation would do justice to Phoebe Gloeckner’s story, aThe Diary of a Teenage Girl is in my top-five all time great graphic novels, and I have felt that way for over a decade now. So I had pretty high hopes that Marielle Heller’s film adaptation would do justice to Phoebe Gloeckner’s story, a glorious, frank coming-of-age that challenges just about every preconceived notion almost any reader could bring to it. Because the story of Minnie Goetze is so very specific in its time, in its setting and in the particulars of how she enters the world of adult sexuality, and because Heller has been so meticulous in bringing it to the screen, the movie, like the book, is absolutely mesmerizing.

To be sure, the confident and determined direction by Heller plays a large role in how riveting the film is from beginning to end, and the cinematography, music and acting performances are all magnificent as well. But ultimately the adaptation would succeed or fail on the key bit of casting, Bel Powley as Minnie. From first moment to last, we experience her world through her eyes – no, through her soul. From her initial announcement that “Holy **** I had sex today!” to a series of new experiences, some soaring, some confusing, some absolutely heartbreaking, Powley completely and utterly inhabits Minnie Goetze in a way that is astounding for anyone who has read the book, and is undoubtedly no less a delight for those coming to this story for the first time in its filmed form.

When she is drunk on her own newfound sexual agency, we feel that. When she is daydreaming about her mother’s boyfriend in all his perceived dreaminess, we feel that, despite seeing him perhaps more clearly than she does. When she lusts, we lust. When she is wounded to the core by her lover’s denial of their relationship, we feel that pain. Powley’s face, her eyes, and her body language all communicate with us so powerfully and urgently that this seems like a new kind of film performance, a more direct connection between actor and audience than is usual. Maybe it’s the material, maybe it’s the direction, maybe it’s Powley’s fearless and bold screen presence, but whatever it is, this is not a movie that you will find yourself bored by. Time suspends and we are there in Minnie’s world, in her bedroom, or devastated at the bottom of a phone booth; no matter what happens, there are no barriers. There is only what happens, and how it feels.

All this is of a piece with Gloeckner’s graphic novel. The Diary of a Teenage Girl held nothing back and demanded to be experienced without pity. It presents Minnie’s sexual life as if she has the right to make her own decisions, because of course she does, and if the people in her life take advantage of that or exercise poor judgment, and they do, then that’s what happens. As with the book, I felt deeply for Minnie and wanted someone to stand up and be a champion for her, but ultimately she learns how to do that for herself, and the lesson of this movie, I think, is that every girl deserves that chance. If The Diary of a Teenage Girl teaches them to demand that power, so much the better.

I loved the book this movie grew out of, and now I love the movie. I have enormous respect and admiration for what Phoebe Gloeckner has done with her artistic talent, and for how Marielle Heller has brought that to the screen with urgency, wit, intelligence and forthrightness. If the movie is not a literal adaptation of every moment of Minnie’s story as seen in the book, it still delivers the most important elements with few evident compromises. It’s a story everyone should experience, and while not everyone will come out of it thinking and feeling the same things, it’s impossible not to feel something after seeing Minnie’s story.

Me, I felt exhilarated. And very, very pleased for one of the most talented people in comics, that her work has been so faithfully translated to a new medium. I hope it brings moviegoers to the original source material, because there is a lot more to the story than what we see in the movie, as breathtaking as it is.… Expand

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10

katezoeJan 24, 2016

One of the top ten films of 2015. Amazing and tender story of a teenage girl coming to terms with her sexualtiy. Pitch perfect acting by the three main characters. Loved the direction. The late 60's in San Francisco caputured perfectly.

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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8

smijatovJan 30, 2016

An excellent woman-centric film, which is quite a breath of fresh air in the male dominated field, especially when it comes to "coming of (sexual) age" films. It is a strange concoction, yet a very effective one. Marielle Heller, theAn excellent woman-centric film, which is quite a breath of fresh air in the male dominated field, especially when it comes to "coming of (sexual) age" films. It is a strange concoction, yet a very effective one. Marielle Heller, the first-time director, does an excellent job with intermixing beautiful cartoon artwork which enriches the film quite well. While sometimes the artwork does not quite transcend itself to give the film deeper meaning (e.g. 2010's "Rabbit Hole"), this is a rather successful merger of art and film.

In terms of production, the film is very good. Excellent editing and cinematography are aided by well thought out production design and excellent costumes. The lenses used give that "70s hue" that compliments the overall storyline and makes the film somewhat more believable.

The plot is quite engaging itself, if for no other reason but for it's female focus. We are used to those awful slapstick men-centric comedies with their fart jokes. This, in comparison, looks like a mature take on a mature topic - sexual development and growing up of a teenage girl. Surely, the actions of Minnie (excellently portrayed by Bel Powley) seem often reprehensible and irrational, but they are also part of what makes the film credible. Teenagers are weird. They have weird logic (or none, at times). They think about sex. They think about sex A LOT. And sometimes, like in Minnie's case, they are not afraid to explore it.

Powley is extremely convincing in an array of situations in the film and, as one character in the film points out - those eyes! She manages to get through that teenage innocence and vulnerability, but also the strength of her wannabe-Lolita independent woman that she wants to be. And that's part of the genius of the script too: why settle for either one when you can be both?
From the rest of the cast, Alexander Skarsgard has the most screen time and he is actually quite good in the role of the enamoured boyfriend of Minnie's mother. The mother, played by Kristen Wiig, seems like the weakest link in the chain. While Wiig does decently, the mother's character seems to be the weakest in terms of being a full person. We see drinking problems and drug abuse, we see the inability to deal with emotions, as we see the need for (male) attention. But that all seems rather limited, especially within the context of a film that has developed its heroine so well, as well as the troubled male focus of her attention.

Without giving away too much - I'd highly recommend this film to anyone, especially teenagers. It makes thinking about sex seem normal and acceptable, which is important. It is sad that that's an important thing we need to remind ourselves of in 2016, but beggars cannot be choosers. An excellent film with an excellent cast, dealing with an excellently engaging topic, done in an excellent mixture of live action and animation - 8/10!… Expand

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7

LeZeeOct 14, 2016

A teen girl's sexual exploration.

Well, the first thing is this film is not for everyone. Because the contents were too strong for being a teen theme. That means it is good for the grown ups to watch. The story of a 15 year old girl in theA teen girl's sexual exploration.

Well, the first thing is this film is not for everyone. Because the contents were too strong for being a teen theme. That means it is good for the grown ups to watch. The story of a 15 year old girl in the 70s living with her mother and small sister. It begins when her sexual urges takes off, her first with a middle aged man. So she documents everything and besides, with her close friend's support, they together explore even more options. Being a minor and yet her real life to commence, what she plans for the future determines the remaining developments.

The performance by Bel Powley was amazing. She was the perfect choice to play that role despite she's older than the role. There were many nudes and sex scenes, but was not that strong, especially when compared with the similar themes of the present era films. The pace had lots of ups and downs, but the progression was on the right path which actually saved the film.

The story was just fine, no complication to understand and also not easy to explain, but in a short, it was a teenage girl's sexual exploration. Everybody gets into that stage of life, but only few courageously opts a path to accomplish. And for some, it is an open opportunity that makes them to get there than intentionally make that move. I felt the film was well adapted from its book and directed by a newcomer, Surely worth a watch, but again I'm saying that it is not for everyone.

7/10… Expand

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8

amheretojudgeFeb 18, 2018

nobody touches you..

The Diary Of A Teenage Girl Trying to find out its originality and reason beings by seeking, experimenting or even smelling the unknown is one of the finest detailed context ever to be mentioned on screen. The Diary Ofnobody touches you..

The Diary Of A Teenage Girl

Trying to find out its originality and reason beings by seeking, experimenting or even smelling the unknown is one of the finest detailed context ever to be mentioned on screen. The Diary Of A Teenage Girl is beautifully written and adapted but more importantly it's execution is something that sweeps away the attention. Marielle Heller is surprisingly amazing on her directorial debut, and works with conviction in each and every frame of it. Bel Powley is quite convincing on her teenage depiction and is supported with great performances by Alexander Skarsgård and Kirsten Wiig. The Diary Of A Teenage Girl is short (just around 100 minutes), to-the-point, perfectly edited and supervised with enormous amount of care and passion towards the art.… Expand

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