Common Sense Media Review
Enjoyable movie about the trials of being a teen.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 13 kid reviews
Kids say that this film, while appealing to some as a lighthearted girly teen movie, features problematic messages such as lying and stealing without consequences, making it frustrating for many viewers. Although it boasts some appealing aspects like music and relatable teenage drama, its lack of character development and positive role models leads to a divided reception, especially among older audiences who find it less enjoyable as they grow up.
- edgy content
- poor role models
- problematic messages
- polarizing reviews
- target audience
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Lindsay Lohan plays a 15-year-old who has a lot to be dramatic about, or at least she thinks she does. First of all, her parents had the bad judgment to name her "Mary," when she was born to be a "Lola." No one seems to understand the importance of her dream of being an actress. In her family, she is "a flamingo in a flock of pigeons," fighting not just against gross injustice, but also against "ordinariness." But what is really devastating is that she has to move from New York City, which she thinks is the center of the planet, to New Jersey, which seems like the farthest end of the universe. At least, if you're a drama queen. And there's more stress to come. Her favorite rock band is breaking up. And she has to compete with a mean and snobbish alpha-girl for the part of Eliza in an updated version of "Pygmalion" called "Eliza Rocks!"
Is It Any Good?
Lola sometimes resorts to more than drama, including some real misbehavior that the movie does not take very seriously. She tells her best friend a terrible lie about her father "to seem more interesting." She gets another friend to help her steal a costume so she can wear it to a party. She lies to her mother and tries to sneak into a concert and a rock star's party. She almost lets down the "Eliza Rocks!" cast and audience by refusing to appear. She learns some lessons and faces some consequences, but parents will want to talk to kids who see this movie about how they see her choices.
The best part of CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE DRAMA QUEEN is Lohan. She is a delight. Kids will enjoy identifying with her as she tries to both fit in and be different, and as she tries to follow her dreams while coping with New Jersey and other obstacles. Parents may be more willing to put up with the movie's logical loopholes than its casual treatment of behavior they would not want their children to imitate.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Lola's comment that she lied to make herself seem more interesting. Why does Carla pretend that she got the part she really wanted? Are there girls like Carla in your school and how do people feel about them? Why was Ella so surprised that her parents would let her go to the concert? How does Lola feel about Stu after she meets him?
Movie Details
- In theaters : February 20, 2004
- On DVD or streaming : July 20, 2004
- Cast : Andy Garcia , Lindsay Lohan , Megan Fox
- Director : Sara Sugarman
- Inclusion Information : Latino Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Touchstone Pictures
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Book Characters
- Run time : 96 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild thematic elements and brief language
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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