I knew it would happen eventually: I take the daughter to a movie that doesn’t scare her (cf. Princess and the Frog, Despicable Me) or totally bore me (Alvin and the Chipmunks 2).
Ramona and Beezus is a story based on Beverly Cleary’s apparently popular children’s book series, which I had never heard of; obviously, I live in a cultural desert. Ramona Quimby (Joey King) is a nine-year-old middle child, stuck between her beautiful high sister Beatrice, who baby Ramona had dubbed Beezus (Selena Gomez – Wizards of Waverly Place), and the new baby.
Ramona, her rambunctious, free-spirited imagination on high, doesn’t know how to draw inside the lines. This is alternately interesting and frustrating to Beezus and to the parents, Robert (John Corbett – everything from Northern Exposure to My Big Fat Greek Wedding to Sex and the City) and Dorothy (Bridget Moynahan – Six Degrees). Ramona does have an ally in her Aunt Bea (Ginnifer Goodwin – Ed, Big Love), who relates to being the younger sister. Bea is horrified to learn that Hobart (Josh Duhamel – Transformers) the boy who broke her heart in high school is back in town, and Bea and Ramona agree to keep Hobart at arm’s length.
Meanwhile, in school, Ramona cannot be bothered with traditional rules, such as spelling, much to the consternation of her teacher, Mrs. Meacham (Sandra Oh – Grey’s Anatomy, Sideways).
There’s a family crisis and Ramona is asked to step up, and she really tries, but her efforts go a bit haywire. In this context, I particularly enjoyed the evolving relationship between the two title characters, and between Ramona and her dad.
Describing more would fall into spoiler territory. Suffice to say, these are the words I would use to describe the film: pleasant, sincere, likable, wholesome. This sounds like being damned with faint praise, but it is not meant to be. I enjoyed it, and I don’t regret having seen it. Don’t necessarily need to see it again, but I’m not the target audience.
The movie received a 73% positive rating, as of this writing in Rotten Tomatoes. Here’s the official site for the film.
nice one!
love the image.
the real question is did your daughter like it? Lydia is the target audience after all.
Sounds like a sweet movie. They don’t all have to be full of special effects and drama, do they?
I envy you. I so want to see this movie. My daughter has mentioned wanting to see it too, so maybe I’ll go with her. Thanks for not giving too much away.
mostly, yes
Sounds like a nice movie to watch. Will look out for it.
Ah, Roger, you didn’t know the book series! Beverly Cleary books were some of my favorite as a child – I was thrilled to see them coming back into popularity. I’m glad the movie was more than tolerable and that Lydia enjoyed it. I haven’t seen it in the theater, nor am I likely to without a child to take…note that animations are exempt from the “must be accompanied by a child” rule in most theaters…
Any chance of ASBDC this year? We miss you!
Alas, no, Pat. And I really would have loved to visit you and the other folks, not to mention San Antonio. Think of a clever presentation I can give and I’ll submit it for next year.