A light teen rom-com about a high school girl learning to accept herself, Tall Girl is a cute, heartfelt film with likable actors and a gently enjoyable story.
It might seem strange, but particularly as we grow up, many girls have a complex about their height. When I was younger, I was convinced that if I hit 5’ 7”, I was “too tall.” I don’t know what put that in my head, but when I stopped growing at 5’ 6” ¼, I was satisfied. But my daughter has gone through this stage too, and you hear about it. It’s normal because boys are “supposed to be” the tall ones. So really, it’s everybody’s complex.
Tall Girl is about teenager Jodi, a girl who stands at 6’ 1” and feels like a giant next to everyone else. Her best friend, Fareeda, is her biggest supporter, and her buddy, Dunkleman, has always been in love with her. But no one is as tall as Jodi, so her insecurities abound. When Swedish foreign exchange student Steig shows up at school – a tall, blonde, handsome teenager – she is immediately interested, as is everyone else.
This is an easy, wholesome film that doesn’t pretend to be more than it is. It is a small, teeny-bopper movie that feels like something my kids would have watched on The Disney Channel. Think Liv And Maddie or Good Luck Charlie with a bit more depth.
Jodi’s father has always called attention to her height, looking for ways to stunt her growth, and other kids have picked on her. It left her with deep insecurities and a list of requirements for a partner, including that he be taller than her.
This film has a bad reputation, and I’m not sure why. If you go in knowing nothing, the characters feel familiar. There’s the adorably stylish best friend, the geeky guy who hangs around, the good-looking guy who is just out of reach, the popular mean girl, the silly and cool big sister, and the mostly normal, harmless main character. It doesn’t rewrite cinema, but it’s sweet.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that as soon as I saw that Griffin Gluck (who plays Kevin in my beloved Dinner In America) was in this film, I was a bit more interested. And I will also admit that I am not a huge Sabrina Carpenter fan (for absolutely no good reason), and I actually like her a hint better after watching her silliness as the older sister here.
Tall Girl is innocent fun about a relatable subject with a predictable story. But if you are looking for something that won’t rock your world and will just ease you through an evening at home, this is a good option. It’s cute.
It might seem strange, but particularly as we grow up, many girls have a complex about their height. When I was younger, I was convinced that if I hit 5’ 7”, I was “too tall.” I don’t know what put that in my head, but when I stopped growing at 5’ 6” ¼, I was satisfied. But my daughter has gone through this stage too, and you hear about it. It’s normal because boys are “supposed to be” the tall ones. So really, it’s everybody’s complex.
