Pros: The acting is great in this film which deals with another marginalized group in Hollywood, the intellectually disabled. Bea, actual name Bambi (Kiernan Shipka) is the teenage daughter of Sharon (Samantha Hyde) and Derek (Dash Mihok) who have issues. Derek was struck by a drunk driver when he was 12 and suffered a traumatic brain injury, leaving him stuck as a 12-year-old for life. Sharon's issues aren't explained as well but its clear that her brain's underdeveloped also. Still, they get married, and despite objections from both parents, they marry and have Bambi, after the fawn from the classic Disney film. Sure, her upbringing is untraditional and her parents make tons of stupid decision (teaching a ten-year-old to drive probably tops the list) but Bea grows into a fully functional high schooler, complete with a snarky but sweet best friend, Nia (Kannon Omachi) and cancer-survivor boyfriend, Ethan (Charlie Plummer) and a decent life. Honestly, probably the main demons are the ones Bea places on herself. Still, the film is a great one though it may not really conquer any new ground, it is still a good story with fascinating characters.
Cons: Honestly, despite some predictability, the story is solid, though the timeline of applying to colleges seems all over the map, especially since Bea continues to apply to colleges even after prom. I also don't understand how the Johnsons are able to keep the house Sharon's disability is cancelled. Still, other than that, overall, the film is solid.
Recommend: Yes
Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-The top-notch supporting cast includes Alexandra Daddario, Reid Scott, Brad Garrett with Jean Smart and Jacki Weaver as Bea's scene-stealing grandmothers.
-Children shouldn't have to take care of their parents.
-Though Bea does plenty for her parents, Ethan does bring up a great point, she didn't change her own diapers.
-This film features a cancer-survivor, another group rarely written for films.
-There is also a minor religious component to this film, to great comedic effect.
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