Common Sense Media Review
By Tracy Moore
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Fairly wholesome racing movie with death of a parent.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Alexis (Mircea Monroe) is a headstrong aspiring race car driver bent on proving herself in a male-dominated sport. But with the death of her father behind the wheel, and a protective uncle (and local speedway owner) standing in her way, she'll have to work even harder to face her fears and earn her racing license.
Is It Any Good?
FAST GIRL offers little in the way of surprises, but it's a pleasant, largely wholesome movie about racing. It has a mostly admirable female character whose determination presents a nice counter to the tired, predictable, sexism of racing culture. The film's premise of a father's death as the reason behind the main character's hangups on the track makes this story more suitable for older kids. Plus, there's a bar scene where drinking turns a character tipsy which may warrant further discussion.
Kids will enjoy the racing action and fast cars, and teen girls may appreciate watching a back-talking young woman best her male detractors. Parents who like racing may find the cars and action a perfectly passable distraction for a family comedy, in no small part because of the surprise acting chops of American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini in the role of fellow race car driver Darryl.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about women in sports. How are women portrayed when they try to succeed in sports or fields that usually attract men? Women drivers such as Danica Patrick are making great strides in racing today. How are they portrayed in the media? Which female athletes do you admire?
Have you ever been told or felt like you couldn't do something you really wanted to do because of your gender? Where do you think you got that message from? How did you handle it?
Go online to learn about how race car drivers train for competition.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : January 29, 2008
- Cast : Caroline Rhea , Justin Guarini , Mircea Monroe
- Director : Daniel Zirilli
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Allumination
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks )
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : mild language and thematic elements
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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