The combination of coming-of-age stories and rock music seems to be an easy mix, especially if you’re Richard Linklater. Whether it’s 1978’s “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” or even 2009’s “Pirate Radio,” the subgenre of character growth fueled by a backdrop of rock and roll is one that seems to always stay relevant and even fresh regardless of the few that might not stick the landing. That being said though, when it comes to coming-of-age films and rock and roll criticism, the list is much smaller with most people’s choice being Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” from 2000. Some might even say “High Fidelity” from the same exact year but, in terms of rock and roll criticism, that’s probably stretching it a bit thin. Well twenty years later, that list is a tad bigger with Coky Giedroyc’s “How to Build a Girl,” the coming-of-age story that is far from original but shines bright enough in a few places to be worthwhile.
The story follows Johanna Morrigan (Beanie Feldstein), a sixteen-year-old living in Wolverhampton in the early nineties. She feels unnoticed and aimless, desperate to find a creative outlet that’ll make her famous, help her family financially, and put her writing skills to good use. When she’s given a chance to write for an English rock magazine, she runs with it immediately, hoping that they’ll take her on as a full-time employee. However, due to her normal appearance (and her lack of rock knowledge), Johanna decides to transform herself into an outspoken, confident persona: Dolly Wilde. As her new rock and roll critic persona, her popularity begins to rise but at a cost of forgetting, despite Wilde being her own creation, who she truly is.
The film’s biggest issue is its plot; it’s an enjoyable, straightforward tale that is about as easy to predict as a film can get. It’s the type of film where your first guess to the question “Gee, I wonder what happens next?” is usually the correct answer. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing but, in terms of other coming-of-age films, there are specific moments in “How to Build a Girl” where I couldn’t help but think about similar scenes in better films. The film doesn’t have to completely shake the mold but it wasn’t surprising when I lost some interest during scenes such as the “protagonist gets a bit too close to the band/lead singer” and “the protagonist’s ego inflates as their popularity rises” because, for some reason, it seems there’s only a few ways a film can do those scenes. While the formula is tried and true for a reason, it definitely leads to less immersion when a setup that’ll pay off down the line is about as subtle as a neon pink motorcycle.
Thankfully though, what makes “How to Build a Girl” stand out the most is its lead. Beanie Feldstein is a wonderful Johanna Morrigan, bringing the charisma and energy the role definitely deserves. Her dedication to both Johanna and her colorful persona all the way to a plausibly authentic accent (in addition to her great performance in last year’s “Booksmart”) shows yet again that Feldstein is a genuine talent who is more than just the funny sidekick. Alongside Feldstein’s performance is a good supporting performance by Paddy Considine, a myriad of small roles from actors such as Michael Sheen and Jameela Jamil, and a pleasantly fun performance from Alfie Allen that didn’t require him to be a dick that kills dogs or a punching bag for much more important characters. It’s actually the scenes between Allen and Feldstein that are the most wholesome, packing each scene with emotional moments and a genuine relationship that can only come from great chemistry.
On top of the very solid ensemble with bright spots is a script that gives the substance a standard story needs to stand out. There’s a personality to the film that is the right balance of familiar and unique, taking the story of an average teenage girl turning into a notorious rock critic and giving her a voice that is funny, relatable, and even dark at times. In addition, the comedy is on point with very little misses throughout, dishing out funny moments that work well enough to at least get a chuckle out of the viewer. It’s got a quirky, sometimes vulgar spirit that feels authentically like an angsty teenager trying to find their place in the world. It’s energetic enough that even a small slump in the second act’s pacing isn’t enough to impede the viewer’s engagement.
Overall, despite a fairly paint-by-numbers plot, “How to Build a Girl” makes up for a predictability with a great lead performance and a witty, lively script. It’s a coming-of-age story about rock and roll criticism that doesn’t hit the levels of “Almost Famous” or even “High Fidelity” but certainly makes a splash with the help of Beanie Feldstein’s talent. It’s an enjoyable, well made film that has enough to probably entertain anyone giving it a shot, especially if they prefer the coming-of-age story with a rock twist. It offers enough of the familiar to let the fresh ideas stick out, making a choice to rent it a good idea to liven up a boring night. In the end, while I didn’t fall in love with everything the film gave me, “How to Build a Girl” certainly shows why Feldstein’s Dolly Wilde should be the first of many stepping stones that propel her into a much bigger career that might even rival her brother’s.