Review of The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015) by Foxgrove — 06 Aug 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 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.