Uptown Girls - Film Review

Post

Subscribe

Uptown Girls (2003) is a comedy-drama directed by Boaz Yakin and starring Brittany Murphy, Dakota Fanning, Jesse Spencer, and Heather Locklear. The film tells the story of Molly Gunn (Murphy), a carefree socialite who is forced to grow up after becoming a nanny to Ray (Fanning), a wise-beyond-her-years eight-year-old girl. At its core, Uptown Girls explores loss, personal growth, responsibility, and the contrast between childhood and adulthood. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, the film has since developed a cult following, largely due to its emotional depth, engaging performances, and heartfelt themes.

Molly Gunn (Brittany Murphy) is the daughter of a famous rock star who has lived her entire life without working, relying on her late father’s fortune. She spends her days partying, shopping, and embracing a carefree lifestyle. However, her world falls apart when she discovers that her father’s manager has embezzled all of her money, leaving her completely broke. Desperate to survive, Molly, who has never worked a day in her life, takes a job as a nanny for Ray Schleine (Dakota Fanning), an intelligent but emotionally distant child with an overbearing, workaholic mother, Roma Schleine (Heather Locklear).



At first, Molly struggles to adjust to responsibility and structure, and Ray is unimpressed by Molly’s immaturity and lack of discipline. The two have a difficult relationship. Molly treats Ray like a kid who needs fun and adventure, but Ray sees herself as an adult who doesn’t need Molly’s childish behaviour. Ray’s structured and overly serious approach to life clashes with Molly’s free-spirited nature. Molly, still reeling from losing her inheritance and struggling with heartbreak, initially fails to be a competent nanny.

However, as they spend more time together, Molly begins to recognise Ray’s deep-seated emotional struggles. Ray is dealing with neglect from her mother and the serious illness of her father, which has led her to suppress her emotions and fear attachment. As Molly matures and learns responsibility, she helps Ray embrace childhood, encouraging her to express her emotions and find joy in life. In turn, Ray teaches Molly the value of structure, self-respect, and resilience.

Molly pursues a real job and moves into a modest apartment, proving she can survive without wealth. Ray, in a pivotal moment, finally allows herself to cry over her father’s condition, showing vulnerability and personal growth. Molly’s love interest, Neal (Jesse Spencer), proves to be selfish and unreliable, teaching her the importance of self-worth and independence.

The film concludes with Molly and Ray parting ways, forever changed by their friendship. Molly steps into adulthood with newfound maturity, while Ray finally allows herself to experience childhood with joy and emotional openness.

The central theme of Uptown Girls is the contrast between childhood and adulthood and the realisation that both can be equally complicated and painful. Molly embodies arrested development - She is biologically an adult but emotionally a child, having never taken responsibility for herself. Ray embodies premature adulthood - She is forced to grow up too fast due to neglect and her father’s illness, leading her to suppress all emotions.

Their relationship highlights the necessity of balance - adults should embrace responsibility while maintaining a sense of wonder and emotional openness.

Both Molly and Ray grapple with loss in different ways. Molly has lost her parents, money, and sense of security, leading to her reckless and directionless lifestyle. Ray is afraid of losing her father, so she pushes people away and refuses to embrace emotions. The film illustrates that grief is not about avoiding pain but about allowing oneself to feel and heal.

Molly’s journey is one of self-discovery and maturity. Initially, she relies on her family’s wealth to avoid growing up. Looks for validation through relationships rather than self-worth. Runs from problems instead of facing them.

By the end, Molly learns the importance of hard work and independence. That self-worth comes from within, not from wealth or relationships. That true growth requires confronting pain rather than escaping it.

The film critiques absentee parenting and the impact of neglect on children. Roma Schleine (Ray’s mother) is emotionally absent, prioritising her career over her daughter’s needs. Molly’s parents, though deceased, have left her unprepared for adulthood, highlighting the consequences of excessive indulgence. In many ways, Molly and Ray act as each other’s parental figures, teaching each other the love and support they never received from their actual parents.

Molly Gunn (Brittany Murphy): Molly is a free-spirited, fun-loving woman who lacks direction and responsibility at the start of the film. Her character arc is one of growth and self-discovery. At first, she is immature, reckless, and dependent on wealth. Throughout the film, she experiences hardship, forcing her to mature. By the end, she proves her self-worth, independence, and emotional resilience. Murphy’s performance is charming, energetic, and deeply emotional, making Molly a lovable but flawed protagonist.

Ray Schleine (Dakota Fanning): Ray is intelligent, disciplined, and emotionally guarded, a result of parental neglect and fear of loss. She sees feelings as a weakness and tries to control every aspect of her life. Molly teaches her to embrace fun, joy, and emotional expression. Her breakthrough moment - crying over her father’s illness - symbolises her acceptance of emotions and the healing process. Fanning’s performance is remarkably mature, capturing the complexity of a child forced to grow up too soon.

Roma Schleine (Heather Locklear): Roma represents career-driven parents who neglect their children emotionally. She is cold, distant, and dismissive of Ray’s needs. The film critiques her neglectful parenting, showing how Ray’s emotional suppression stems from her mother’s lack of warmth.

Neal (Jesse Spencer): Neal is Molly’s love interest and a symbol of her naivety. He is selfish, flaky, and manipulative, mirroring Molly’s earlier irresponsibility. Molly’s realisation that she deserves better represents her final step toward maturity.

The film uses bright, vibrant colours to reflect Molly’s childlike wonder. Soft lighting and whimsical elements contrast with Ray’s structured, cold environment, visually representing their personalities. The use of mirrors and reflections symbolises self-discovery and change - Molly and Ray reflect each other’s journeys throughout the film.

Upon release, Uptown Girls received mixed reviews, with some critics finding it formulaic, while others praised its performances and emotional depth. Despite its initial reception, the film has become a beloved classic, particularly among fans of coming-of-age dramas. Brittany Murphy’s performance remains one of her most memorable roles. Dakota Fanning’s portrayal of Ray cemented her reputation as a talented child actress. The film resonates with audiences struggling with adulthood, responsibility, and self-worth.

Uptown Girls is a heartfelt, bittersweet film that explores loss, growth, and self-discovery through an unlikely friendship. Its emotional depth, strong performances, and universal themes make it a film that continues to resonate, proving that growing up is not about age but about learning, healing, and embracing life fully.

%wneverywhere
#film_reviews
#movie_reviews
#film_tv_reviews
#comedy
#drama
#romance