Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Offbeat indie dramedy will resonate with older teens.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Ghost World
What's the Story?
Best friends Enid (Thora Birch) and Becky (Scarlett Johanssen) have just graduated from high school and have no plans to do the complacent college-bound plan. They're going to score a job, move in together, listen to music, play pranks on losers who place personal ads, and hang out like 18-year-old hipsters everywhere. After luring Seymour (Steve Buscemi), a lonely 40-something blues aficionado to a fake date, Enid grows attached to him, alienating Becky and providing a welcome distraction from the boring call of adulthood.
Is It Any Good?
Director Terry Zwigoff perfectly captures the ennui of transitioning from adolescent to adult. Enid, especially, isn't always likable (especially after seducing Seymour), but she and Becky are always believable as cooler-than-thou 18-year-olds who march to the beat of their own drums, completely uninterested in being like their "phony" peers.
Birch is a revelation as a girl-woman who thinks she's ready for an adult relationship but lacks the maturity to handle one. Buscemi is touching as a tragic "dork" loner who finds a kindred spirit in Enid, even though their intimacy is short-lived. Their performances make Zwigoff's adaptation of Daniel Clowes' popular graphic novel a must-see in the genre of offbeat coming-of-age stories.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about coming-of-age movies about high-school graduates. What common themes are present in most of these adolescent films?
Parents and kids can also discuss Enid's friendship with Seymour. How is their inter-generational relationship portrayed?
How do Enid and Becky affect and influence each other? Which one of them do you relate to more? Why?
Adaptations of graphic novels have become quite popular. What are the best examples of the genre?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 20, 2001
- On DVD or streaming : February 5, 2002
- Cast : Scarlett Johansson , Steve Buscemi , Thora Birch
- Director : Terry Zwigoff
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : MGM/UA
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 111 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong language and some sexual content.
- Last updated : July 27, 2022
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