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Stargirl (film)

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For the DC Universe series, see Stargirl (TV series).
Stargirl
Official release poster
Directed byJulia Hart
Screenplay byKristin Hahn
Julia Hart
Jordan Horowitz
Produced by
Kristin Hahn
Ellen Goldsmith-Vein
Lee Stollman
Jordan Horowitz
CinematographyBryce Fortner
Edited by
Shayar Bansali
Tracey Wadmore-Smith
Music byRob Simonsen
Production
companies
Walt Disney Pictures
Gotham Group
Hahnscape Entertainment
Distributed byDisney+
Release date
  • March 13, 2020 (2020-03-13)[1]
Running time
107 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Stargirl is a 2020 American drama film based on the novel of the same name by Jerry Spinelli, that debuted on Disney+. The film explores the tense emotions, non-conformity and self-expression of teenagers in high school, and the exuberance of first love.

The film is directed by Julia Hart, produced by Kristin Hahn, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Lee Stollman and Jordan Horowitz from a screenplay written by Hahn, Hart and Horowitz, and stars Grace VanderWaal, Graham Verchere, Giancarlo Esposito, Karan Brar, Darby Stanchfield, and Maximiliano Hernández.[2] The film was released on March 13, 2020.[3] The film has received mostly positive reviews from critics, who praised VanderWaal's performance, Hart's direction, and nostalgic tone.

Plot

When Leo Borlock's father passed away, he began to wear a porcupine tie in remembrance of him. When school started, he was beaten up and his tie was cut up. Since then on his birthday, he would receive a new porcupine tie from a mystery person, but he would not wear them in public. In high school, Leo plays trumpet in the marching band and helps his friend Kevin Singh, a member of the A.V. club, host a show called Hot Seat. One day, a free-spirited girl named Stargirl Caraway arrives and quickly makes an impression on Leo when she sings "Happy Birthday" to him on a ukulele in front of the school. Later, while their football team the Mudfrogs, who are notorious for their losing streak, are playing a game, Stargirl comes out and performs a song ("Be True to Your School") that energizes them and causes them to make their first win. Kevin suggests to Leo to invite her onto his show, but she politely refuses.

Stargirl becomes a good luck charm for the football team ("We Got the Beat") and begins hanging out with Leo in an attempt to get him to come out of his shell. He converses with Archie, the owner of the local paleontologist camp, who reveals that Stargirl, much like Leo, lives with her single mother and that she was homeschooled much of her life. She is well aware of Leo after learning about him through Archie. Later, Stargirl tries out for the Speech regionals against Kevin and wins with her unusual speech on rats. While anonymously returning a bike to a boy who was in the hospital, Leo mentions the ties, but Stargirl feigns any knowledge of it. When he asks how she knew so much about him, she tells him that she has "an office". Stargirl gives song suggestion to Leo ("Thirteen") and as he leaves, kisses him for the first time. They then spend the semester dating.

During the big game, one of the opposing players is severely injured. Stargirl runs over to check on him and rides with him to the hospital, confusing everyone. Afterward, Leo tells Stargirl that everyone was demoralized and that they lost, but they hang out together anyway. The next day, everyone is disappointed with Stargirl. Leo meets up with Kevin and the rest of his friends who are also upset, but forgive him, as well as apologize for being distant with him. Kevin decides to bring Stargirl onto his show so that she can explain herself. Stargirl reveals that her real name is Susan and that she chose Stargirl because everyone is made of stardust. The audience of students quickly turns on her when a student named Hillari scolds her for inconsiderately returning a bike to her brother who was permanently injured in an accident while riding it. Stargirl runs off in tears.

Leo tries talking to Stargirl and suggests being like everyone else, much to her consternation. Later, Stargirl starts calling herself Susan and wearing clothes that are more like those of her classmates. She and Leo head to the speech regionals where Leo asks her to the Winter Dance and she accepts. Stargirl is about to give a speech on internet privacy, but quickly shifts to a speech on flowers which wins her first place. Despite it being the very first trophy won at the school, nobody pays any attention to it. Stargirl decides that acting as Susan is to act against who she is, and she abandons the idea. Leo begins to feel awful, but gets encouragement from his mother and Kevin.

Leo unexpectedly gets Stargirl's collection of records, a record player (he previously said he did not have one) and an invite for a "big surprise" at the dance. Leo shows up and is pleased to see Stargirl there. She reveals her surprise: him singing in front of all the attendees. After some reluctance, Leo gets up and performs his and his father's favorite song ("Just What I Needed"), leading everyone to dance together in the courtyard. Afterwards, Stargirl apologizes to Hillari and disappears from the party. Leo discovers that Stargirl moved away, but that her influence had affected the school in a positive way with them eventually winning more trophies. Despite all this, Leo continued to get ties from Stargirl and Archie reveals her "office", a small shed at the camp full of information of the townsfolk. Even after graduating and attending college, Leo never forgets what Stargirl did for him ("Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)").

In a post-credits scene, at an unspecified time, Stargirl sings a song to Leo ("Today and Tomorrow").

Cast

  • Grace VanderWaal as Susan "Stargirl" Caraway
  • Graham Verchere as Leo Borlock
    • Enzo Charles de Angelis as Leo age 8
  • Giancarlo Esposito as Archie Brubaker, Leo's mentor
  • Karan Brar as Kevin Singh, Leo's best friend
    • Atharva Varma as Kevin age 8
  • Darby Stanchfield as Gloria Borlock, Leo's mother
  • Maximiliano Hernández as Mr. Robineau
  • Annacheska Brown as Tess Reid
  • Collin Blackford as Benny Burrito
  • Allison Wentworth as Dori Dilson
  • Juliocesar Chavez as Alan Ferko
  • Artemis as Mallory Franklin
  • Julia Flores as Summer
  • Gabriella Surodjawan as Kim
  • Shelby Simmons as Hillari Kimble
  • John Apolinar as Wayne Parnell
  • Alex James as Zack James
  • Lucinda Marker as Principal Sutters
  • Sara Arrington as Ana Carraway
  • Damian O'Hare as Leo's Dad

Production

Development

On July 15, 2015, it was announced that director Catherine Hardwicke was set to direct an adaptation of Jerry Spinelli's novel Stargirl for Walt Disney Pictures. The novel was initially adapted by Kristin Hahn who was also set to produce the film. Production companies involved with the film were expected to include Gotham Group and BCDF Pictures, with the latter also financing the film.[4]

On February 8, 2018, it was announced that a new iteration of the screenplay had been developed, Hardwicke would be replaced by Julia Hart as the director, and the film would be produced by Walt Disney Pictures. The film would premiere on Disney+, Disney's streaming service that launched in late 2019.[5] The following month, it was confirmed that the production was in the late stages of development, that Hahn's screenplay was still being utilized, and that she would continue to serve as a producer alongside Ellen Goldsmith-Vein and Lee Stollman. Production companies were to include Gotham Group and Hahn's production company Hahnscape Entertainment.[6] By June 2018, Hart had polished Hahn's script with her husband Jordan Horowitz, who also served as an executive producer for the film.[7]

Casting

In 2015, it was announced that the production would star Joey King and Charlie Plummer as Stargirl and Leo, the boy who narrates the story.[8] By June 2018, however, singer Grace VanderWaal had been cast to star, in her debut acting role, as the title character.[7] By August 2018, Graham Verchere had been cast as Leo.[9] By September 2018, Giancarlo Esposito, Karan Brar, Darby Stanchfield, and Maximiliano Hernández had been cast in supporting roles.[2]

Filming

Filming was originally scheduled to commence in the fall of 2015 in New Mexico.[4][8] Principal photography was delayed, however, until September 2018 in New Mexico and wrapped on November 16, 2018.[10] Filming locations in the state included Albuquerque and Truth or Consequences.[11][12][13]

Release

Stargirl was released in the United States on March 13, 2020, by Disney+.[1]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 67%, with an average rating of 6.32/10, based on 12 reviews.[14] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted rating of 63 out of 100 based on 8 reviews, indicating "generally positive reviews".[15]

References

  1. ^ a b "Did you spot the news during this morning's @Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade on ABC? #Stargirl starts streaming on @DisneyPlus March 13, 2020! #DisneyPlus #GraceVanderWaal #GrahamVerchere". Twitter. December 25, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  2. ^ a b N'Duka, Amanda (September 18, 2018). "'Breaking Bad' & 'Better Call Saul' Actor Giancarlo Esposito Joins Disney's 'Stargirl'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  3. ^ Tracy, Brianne. "Grace VanderWaal Says She Has to 'Fight for a Later Curfew' Like Any Other Teen Her Age", People, June 28, 2019
  4. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (July 15, 2015). "'Twilight's' Catherine Hardwicke to Direct YA Novel Adaptation 'Stargirl' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  5. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (February 8, 2018). "Disney Unveils Inaugural Streaming Service Launch Slate To Town; No R-Rated Fare". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  6. ^ Busch, Anita (March 2, 2018). "Female Directors Scorecard: Six Helmers Grace Disney's Upcoming Slate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Busch, Anita (June 5, 2018). "Grace VanderWaal, 'America's Got Talent' Champion, Is Disney's 'Stargirl'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  8. ^ a b Kit, Borys (September 11, 2015). "Catherine Hardwicke's YA Movie 'Stargirl' Finds Its Stars (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  9. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (August 21, 2018). "Graham Verchere Set As Co-Lead Opposite Grace VanderWaal in Disney's 'Stargirl' Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  10. ^ O'Brien, Natalie (November 17, 2018). "...We finished our magical Disney film last night #Stargirl". Instagram. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
  11. ^ Gomez, Adrian (September 24, 2018). "Disney's 'Stargirl' to film in New Mexico, starring Grace VanderWaal". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  12. ^ Harlow, Olivia (September 24, 2018). "Disney production to start filming in N.M." The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  13. ^ Steves, Ashley (October 12, 2018). "Now Casting: Disney Feature 'Stargirl' Needs Actors to Play Football Players and Marching Band Members + 3 More Gigs". Backstage. Retrieved October 18, 2018.
  14. ^ Stargirl (2020), retrieved 2020-03-15
  15. ^ Stargirl, retrieved 2020-03-15

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