I didn't hear about Boaz Yakin's "Uptown Girls" when it got released. I learned of it from an ad when I watched "Pieces of April" a few years ago. The ad featured Avril Lavigne's "Complicated", although the song doesn't appear in the movie.*
Anyway, I finally saw the movie. It was what I expected. The plot was similar to what I saw in the later movie "The Nanny Diaries", starring Scarlett Johansson. I understand that this was probably Brittany Murphy's most famous role. Although she starred in some serious movies throughout her career, her death at 32 prevented her from ever having the chance to achieve Meryl Streep-level renown.
One thing that struck me as weird was the characters' names. Brittany Murphy's character was named Molly, Dakota Fanning's character was named Lorraine, Marley Shelton's character was named Ingrid, and Jesse Spencer's character was named Neal (I also heard a mention of someone named Ethel). Those sound like names that people in my grandparents' generation had. I find it hard to picture anyone in generations X, Y or Z having those names.
Anyway, it's a typical harmless mediocrity. Nice escapist fun if you want a way to pass ninety minutes.
*"Weird Al" Yankovic spoofed Lavigne's song with a story of constipation, inbreeding and decapitation.
Anyway, I finally saw the movie. It was what I expected. The plot was similar to what I saw in the later movie "The Nanny Diaries", starring Scarlett Johansson. I understand that this was probably Brittany Murphy's most famous role. Although she starred in some serious movies throughout her career, her death at 32 prevented her from ever having the chance to achieve Meryl Streep-level renown.
One thing that struck me as weird was the characters' names. Brittany Murphy's character was named Molly, Dakota Fanning's character was named Lorraine, Marley Shelton's character was named Ingrid, and Jesse Spencer's character was named Neal (I also heard a mention of someone named Ethel). Those sound like names that people in my grandparents' generation had. I find it hard to picture anyone in generations X, Y or Z having those names.
Anyway, it's a typical harmless mediocrity. Nice escapist fun if you want a way to pass ninety minutes.
*"Weird Al" Yankovic spoofed Lavigne's song with a story of constipation, inbreeding and decapitation.