How to Build a Girl Review: What Not to Do When Finding Yourself. A semi-autobiographical film of a young journalist full of negative energy and mistakes, so we don't want to copy it.
“How to Build a Girl” (2019) is a film based on a semi-autobiographical novel with a similar title by Caitlin Moran. Together with director Coky Giedroyc, Moran also developed his novel as a coming of age comedy film script .
Tells the story of Johanna Morrigan, a 16-year-old teenager in Wolverhampton in the 1990s. Due to the financial crisis experienced by her family, Johanna took a job as a rock music critic in magazine publishing. Basically, Johanna has a natural writing talent, but the editor's demands for hot articles, make her a brutal music critic.
Like coming of age dramas in general, "How to Build a Girl" is basically not much different from similar teen dramas. With the background of school children's lives in western countries in the 90s, "How to Build a Girl" has a vibe that is quite similar to the series "Derry Girls" (2018) and the movie "Our Ladies" (2019). Both teenagers are bored, still in a period of rebellion, with acquaintances that are no less shaking their heads.
Teenage Girl with Big Dreams as a Famous Writer
Johanna finds adolescence very boring and she is ready for something to happen. She wants to become a famous writer, leave her lousy hometown, embark on adventures, and date lots of handsome men. When he caused a financial crisis on his own family, he also applied for a job as a rock music critic in a magazine publishing. Starting from Johanna who has an innocent personality, she begins to transform into a new female figure who she thinks is cooler than her previous self.
Despite the biased narrative on the figure of Johanna Morgan, the executed script does not contain any romance in response to the teenage rebellious phase. Some of us may be familiar with the issue of romanticism, free lifestyle and the destructive spirit of rebellion in today's teen series.
One of the important points to be conveyed through Johanna's character is how negative things only bring disaster rather than self-development.
Listening to Johanna's Story So You Don't Fall in the Same Mistake
It can be likened to films such as “Almost Famous” (2000), where a young teenager encounters various experiences that are not appropriate for his age. Growing up too soon. The ups and downs of Johanna's character development in the coming of age story will be a dynamic journey for the audience.
We will see the rise to various mistakes that keep Johanna stuck in a chaotic situation. It is perfect for photographing the turmoil of teenagers who are still unstable and in stressful situations. However, despite the various mischief and problems caused by Johanna, he is finally given the consequences that are worth paying for.
As a semi-autobiographical work, presenting an inspiring story or giving life lessons to the audience is an aspect that should not be forgotten. “How to Build a Girl” is a guide on what not to do when a teenage girl is creating herself, her identity. By listening to Johanna's mistakes and self-destruction, the audience is expected to fall into the same mistake.
It can be likened to films like “Almost Famous” (2000), where a teenager finds various experiences that are not appropriate for his age. Growing up too soon. The ups and downs of Johanna's character development in the coming of age story will be a dynamic journey for the audience. We will see the rise to various mistakes that keep Johanna stuck in a chaotic situation.
It is perfect for photographing the turmoil of teenagers who are still unstable and in stressful situations. However, despite the various mischief and problems caused by Johanna, he is finally given the consequences that are worth paying for.
Full of Feminism Messages, Especially for Teenage Girls
“How to Build a Girl” has a clear and quite special segment. Namely young women who are still trying to find identity and recognition. Especially those who have a passion for writing like Johanna. But still can inspire other teenagers who want to cultivate a particular field. Johanna's story can be a benchmark for truth and a teenager begins to lose his way. Fall into a negative, toxic, and destructive environment.
This semi-autobiographical work may not be one hundred percent accurate with what Caitlin Moran experienced as a writer. We'll catch on, maybe relaying his personal story isn't Moran's main target. He prioritizes life lessons like what he got in his teens. That the essence of the crisis and the lessons he learned can be applied in different scenarios. Because every audience has a different way of life. “How to Build a Girl” can be streamed while it's available on Netflix.