"Carrie Pilby knows a thing or two; just not how to fix herself. But that's about to change." This is
Carrie Pilby. This comedy-drama film directed by Susan Johnson, adapted by Kara Holden and Dean Craig, and based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Caren Lissner. A socially awkward nineteen-year-old genius makes big plans to step out of her shell and make a friend, get a job and -- maybe -- even go on a date.
In mid June 2013, it was announced that Johnson would make her directorial debut with the adaptation of Lissner's best-selling coming-of-age novel with Holden and Craig hired to pen the adaptation and Hailee Steinfeld attached to star in the title role. However, Steinfeld dropped out due to scheduling conflicts and was ultimately replaced by Bel Powley. By mid December 2015, Nathan Lane, Gabriel Byrne, Jason Ritter, William Moseley, Vanessa Bayer and Colin O'Donoghue rounded out the film's cast. At the same time, principal photography commenced and wrapped in mid January 2016. Filming took place in New York City. The film's production team was noted to be largely female.
The film stars Powley, Lane, Byrne, Ritter, Moseley, Bayer and O'Donoghue. The performances, however, drive the story and make for intriguing conversations even if the end feels like it's pulled together quickly in order to spur a resolution. A late summer gem. Anchored by star-making work from Powley, it's a coming of age story that isn't afraid to explore some rather complicated places. Both in her strength and confusion, Carrie - played by Powley - is a really believable teenager. Newcomer Powley is terrific as the mercurial lead, who's not quite as mature as she believes herself to be, and she's matched marvellously by her grown-up co-stars.
The film does one of the things that movies, and art in general, do only when they're at their best. It makes us see the world entirely from another person's point of view. The film is an honest, tender and daring debut for its director, with a brave performance from its young leading actress. Johnson tells a remarkably rounded, rangy, and mixed-media coming-of-age story for a genre so typically one-track minded. It's wonderfully executed; sharp, significant and comic in more ways than one. Powley is the real find though, and should have a long acting career. It is a film about discovery, and a big part of the joy in watching it is discovering things alongside the protagonist and narrator. An irregular coming of age tale that, having a story that's grounded on reality, flirts with improbable situations taken out of a very used mold. Credit Johnson for keeping proceedings in perspective and for delivering one of the most candid accounts of the teen odyssey. Johnson's screen adaptation is suitably warts-and-all, corporeal, and morally complicated - everything a teen account of their sexual awakening and unravelling should be. Johnson and Powley present a journey that, stripped to its most basic emotional elements, is timeless and universal.
Simon says Carrie Pilby receives:
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