Pygmalion hip hop style

jotix100

This film, directed by Sara Sugarman, and coming from the Walt Disney people, is clearly targeted for teen agers, as the familiar themes are at center stage. While the film doesn't break new ground, it's easy to see why young viewers would be attracted to it. Dyan Feldon wrote the book in which the movie is based, and Gail Parent, a woman who knows how to write comedy, adapted it for the screen.

The film best asset is Lindsay Lohan, who plays the main character, Lola. She has been taken from her Manhattan environment to suburban New Jersey and is enrolled in the Dellwood High School, where she sticks out as a sore thumb. In order to appear arty and with it, Mary Elizabeth Cep becomes just plain Lola. In her mind, the new name gives her a sophistication the other kids don't have. In her deception, Lola makes everyone believe her father has died in a car crash, when in reality, he is well and living in Manhattan.

She becomes friendly with Ella, a shy and smart girl, who under Lola's influence begins to lighten up. Ella is a girl with high moral principals, something that the movies don't like to emphasize too much. Lola, on the other hand, is not a bad girl, but she is clearly living in a world of make believe.

When Ms. Baggoli, the drama teacher begins casting for the school production of "Pygmalion", she decides to "update it" by staging the material in hip hop and Lola, who is competing against the favorite Carla, wins the role of Eliza. We only get to see a small part of the play itself. After watching it, a new star, Lola, is born.

The film capitalizes on Lindsay Lohan's talent. Ms. Lohan is a charismatic young actress who excels in these types of roles. Adam Garcia, Alison Pill, Megan Fox, play some of the teen agers in Lola's life. The great Carol Kane is wonderful as Ms. Baggoli, the music teacher. She is perfect as this drama teacher in suburbia.

While most comments in this forum seem to be critical of the film, it is light and predictable, but Sara Sugarman, its director appears to know how to tell this story with a light touch.

score 7/10

jotix100 3 April 2006

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1332509/