Stargirl: You can embrace your weird side

Disney+ invited us to the premiere, all opinions are our own.

You might remember that I told you a few weeks ago that I was lucky to be part of a secret visit to the set of Stargirl. Today I can finally reveal my thoughts about the movie and also tell you more about the cast. 

About the movie

“Stargirl” from Disney+ is a tender and offbeat coming-of-age story based on the critically-acclaimed, New York Times’ best-selling young adult novel about an unassuming high schooler who finds himself inexplicably drawn to the free-spirited new girl, whose unconventional ways change how they see themselves…and their world. Leo Borlock (Graham Verchere) is an average student at Mica High School. He gets decent grades, is a member of the school’s marching band and has always been content flying under the radar. But all that changes when he meets Stargirl Caraway (Grace VanderWaal), a confident and colorful new student with a penchant for the ukulele, who stands out in a crowd. She is kind, finds magic in the mundane and touches the lives of others with the simplest of gestures. Her eccentricities and infectious personality charm Leo and the student body, and she quickly goes from being ignored and ridiculed to accepted and praised, then back again, sending Leo on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. A celebration of individuality, kindness and the power of the human spirit, “Stargirl” is directed by Julia Hart from a screenplay by Kristin Hahn and Julia Hart & Jordan Horowitz based on the novel by Jerry Spinelli.

Watch a trailer

Did we like it?

My son and I were invited to the Premiere at El Capital theater. They had a reception with hot dogs, nachos, chili fries and even a make you own sundae station. We pretty much felt like at school carnival to celebrate the movie. 

When the movie started with Leo narrating about who he was, I got a little worried. The first scenes were so slow that I was almost ready to close my eyes. It has been really crazy at work and I was tired and I got worried the movie wasn't going to get me interested and I was going to fall asleep.

Then, magic started happening (I guess Stargirl is magical after all), and I got more into the movie. Even my 15 year old that is very picky for the things he likes, was into the movie. I guess it is really relatable to young adults and kids in general. In a world where we here about bullying and cyber-bullying it is refreshing to have a movie that gives you a message of acceptance. Not as much acceptance of others but acceptance of yourself.

The movie inspires you to embrace your weirdness and be true to yourself. It is ok to wear the clothes you like, not the ones everyone is wearing. It is ok to be creative, it is ok to be bold. It teaches kids that it is ok to speak your mind.

As far as the acting goes, it is hard to remember the kids are so young. They are all wonderful. The tone and style of the movie feel smooth and nothing feels forced or fake. The movie cinetamography is good, the music is contagious. Well written and directed. It actually makes me wonder why it was not a theatrical release but only a Disney+ movie.

Meet the cast

You probably remember Grace VanderWaal from a few years ago when she stole America’s heart and won “America’s Got Talent”. She is very talented and in my opinion the prefect casting to play Stargirl. She was sweet and told us that she thinks that: "Stargirl is the representation of how someone would be if they could live without the norms". 

Her message for kids around the world from the movie is: "Be yourself"
She also told us that her favorite scene was the dance scene at the end of the movie and that she really loved the dress she got to wear for that scene.

We also had the pleasure to meet Graham Marc Verchere, a young Canadian actor, that you might remember from the series The Good Doctor. He told us that he really loved his character and that the lesson teens can learn from the movie is: "It is not ok to bully other kids and it is important to be yourself"

We also met with Director Julia Hart and she told that what the motivation to bring this movie to Disney+:  “There is just not enough content that speaks  to young people. It was such a positive story about the kindness and the passion and the compassion of young people, which I think, in today’s world, there pretty much couldn’t be anything more important.”

The young actor Karan Brar, who plays Kevin, Leo's best friend in the movie, told us that filming in New Mexico was a lot of fun and that he really enjoyed watching the scenes between Stargirl and Leo because they represent true love.

Stargirl will begin streaming on Disney+ on March 13!