This is yet another quirky character study. Saoirse Ronan plays a renegade high school student (is there any other kind?), whose awkward relationships with boys and other friends is compounded by her need to feel special. Mix in a strong-willed, unhappy mother (Laurie Metcalf) to make that family dynamic more dysfunctional. With any film like this, it’s important to care for the people. Ronan’s performance is fine, but her character is just another unhappy teen without much to make her endearing. Metcalf’s mother provides a complex and touching portrayal. Overall, it’s another coming of age flick with some effective moments and mildly interesting characters.

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