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Movie Review: <i>Sierra Burgess Is A Loser</i>. Delightful, Witty, and Reminiscent of ‘80s Grandeur.

Release Date: Available on Netflix Friday, September 7, 2018
Directed By: Ian Samuels
Screenplay By: Lindsey Beer
Produced By: Black Label Media – Molly Smith, Rachel Smith, Thad Luckinbill, Trent Luckinbill
Cast: Shannon Purser, Noah Centineo, Kristine Froseth, RJ Cyler, Lea Thompson, Alan Ruck, Loretta Devine, Chrissy Metz, Geoff Stults, Giorgia Whigham, Alice Lee, Will Peltz
Run Time: 1 hr and 45 min

Reviewer Rating: ★★★★★

 

If you never heard of the play “Cyrano de Bergerac” by Edmond Rostand, or the film Roxanne, it’s OK because Sierra Burgess Is A Loser stands on its own merits thanks to screenwriter Lindsey Beer. The film has everything you could want in a classic high school-esque rom-com: humor, wit, mean girls, awesome best friends, the quintessential “hot jock,” that amazingly supportive teacher who totally gets you, and, of course, a fantastic love story. For those of you who’ve watched (either at home or in the theater) some of the most phenomenal romantic comedies of the ‘80s like Sixteen Candles, Say Anything, Pretty In Pink, Some Kind of Wonderful, Better Off Dead, and so many more, you are going to fall in love with Sierra Burgess Is A Loser.

Shannon Purser as Sierra Burgess in SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER – Photo ©2018 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Sierra Burgess (Shannon Purser) is a typical teenage girl living in Pasadena, CA. Aside from her famous writer father Stephen (Alan Ruck) and her beautiful and successful motivational speaker mother Jules (Lea Thompson), Sierra’s life is pretty normal. She’s smart, a member of the school marching band, and has a great best friend, Dan (RJ Cyler), who encourages her to be herself. Sierra wants to go to Stanford and tries to bolster her college resume with extracurricular activities, including being a tutor for hire. While she may seem to be a well-adjusted person, Sierra, like many young ladies, struggles with her self-esteem.

L-R: Chrissy (Giorgia Whigham), Veronica (Kristine Froseth), Mackenzie (Alice Lee) in SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER – Photo ©2018 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Enter the stereotypical trio of mean girls at East Pasadena High – Veronica (Kristine Froseth), the gorgeous head cheerleader, and her two friends Chrissy (Giorgia Whigham) and Mackenzie (Alice Lee). These girls think Sierra is a pathetic “loser,” and when Veronica decides to play a prank on Sierra, things take an interesting turn.

Sierra Burgess Is A Loser highlights the ups and downs of what many young teen girls, hell, women of any age really, go through when having low self-esteem. Sierra isn’t the obviously pretty girl; she has a quiet beauty. But people can be cruel and when Veronica tries to insult Sierra by calling her “Frodo,” Sierra uses her intellect and wit to throw shade but, in actuality, she’s only being self-deprecating. What I love about the story are all the facets of Sierra’s personality. She shines when she is truly herself but when she gets a random text from Jamey (Noah Centineo), things go from real to really awkward.

Shannon Purser as Sierra Burgess in SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER – Photo ©2018 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Purser’s performance deserves accolades on top of accolades. She’s a breath of fresh air in a suffocating room full of so-called society approved pretty skinny types who could all benefit from eating a sandwich or three. I relate to Sierra so much. I don’t consider myself obviously pretty, nor am I a size 2. I grew up in the era of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous and fashion magazines that showcased only the glamorous and impossibly beautiful women. Sierra Burgess Is A Loser celebrates females with curves and beauty that truly come from within. And frankly, Purser is a beautiful young woman who brilliantly executes the role of awkward teenage girl trying to live up to too high standards that main stream society made up. But when Sierra is 100% herself, she shines brighter than any star in the sky. She may not be a traditional writer like her father, but she is talented in other ways. The song in the film, “Sunflower*,” is absolutely resplendent. I had no idea Purser could sing so splendidly. *( “Sunflower,” performed by Purser, was co-written by Troye Sivan.)

RJ Cyler as Dan and Shannon Purser as Sierra Burgess in SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER – Photo ©2018 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

Cyler is a scene stealer. His one-liners and zings throughout the film had me laughing out loud. When Sierra begins to pull away, becoming closer to Veronica, and keeping up the pretense in her ‘text-mance’ with Jamey, Dan sees someone he doesn’t recognize anymore. The friendship between Dan and Sierra reminds me of Andie and Duckie in Pretty In Pink, with the exception that Dan is not in love with Sierra like Duckie was with Andie.

Centineo is quickly becoming a heartthrob of Netflix’s recent wave of rom-coms. First, it was as Peter Kavinsky in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and now it’s West Pasadena High football quarterback Jamey. Centineo gives a terrific performance as Jamey. Despite being a jock, he is a goofball and nerd at heart. The phone conversations (yes, they actually talk on the phone – like in “olden times,” as Jamey says) are some of the most endearing and heart-melting in the film. You can almost feel the butterflies as they both try to get to know one another.

Noah Centineo as Jamey in SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER – Photo ©2018 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

There are so many wonderful performances throughout Sierra Burgess Is A Loser. Loretta Devine as Sierra’s teacher Ms. Thomson is absolutely fantastic. I love her unfiltered way of talking to the kids. And Chrissy Metz’s portrayal of Veronica’s former beauty queen-turned-embittered-frumpy-divorcee of a mother is nothing short of jaw dropping. And Froseth gives an outstanding performance balancing her character’s duplicitous sides. Yes, she is the super popular mean girl but there is another side that makes me empathetic to her situation at home. Sometimes, being the stunning popular girl isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

There are two love stories in this film. Both are equally ‘aww’ inspiring. Shannon Purser and Kristine Froseth in SIERRA BURGESS IS A LOSER – Photo ©2018 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

There is, of course, some drama in the film because what teen rom-com would be complete without some, right? As I mentioned, Veronica plays a prank on Sierra. When Jamey approaches Veronica in a diner and asks for her number, she gives him Sierra’s number from the tutoring poster. As Jamey texts Sierra believing he’s texting Veronica, things start to unravel when he wants to “Face Time” and go out on an actual date.

If you haven’t already decided to watch Sierra Burgess Is A Loser, I hope you will at least give it a chance. It’s a feel-good story that will hopefully inspire you to “just be you.” And I’m totally downloading the entire soundtrack! Amazing music!

For more, go to the official site https://www.netflix.com/title/80239639

Sierra Burgess Is A Loser Soundtrack List
The Other Side (Performed by Betty Who)
Lights (Performed by Leland)
Kid Wonder (Performed by Allie X)
Half of You (Performed by MNEK)
The Phone Call – Score from the Motion Picture
Lie for Love  (Performed by Sabrina Carpenter)
Sunflower – Movie Version (Performed by Shannon Purser)
Latitude (Performed by Leland)
Sunflower – Synth Reprise  (Performed by Allie X)
I Don’t Change (Performed by K.I.D)
Middle of Love (Performed by Leland and Vincint)
The Parking Lot – Score from the Motion Picture
Paper Love (Performed by Allie X)
Goodbye (Performed by Carlie Hanson)

Photos courtesy of ©2018 Netflix. All Rights Reserved.

 

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.

Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.