I really enjoyed watching Am I Still Beautiful! It is a fun, lighthearted movie with a good theme that is relatable to most teens. Along with that, there are gorgeous sets, music, and lighting that really make the whole movie feel immersive.
The plot follows Malalia (Sofia Inez Garcia), as she hosts her birthday party. She clearly struggles with self love and her self image. We meet Ali, the boy she is fond of, who only thinks of her as a friend (or a brother). Malalia is desperate to gain the love and approval of Ali and the other boys she invited to her party. She succumbs to peer pressure, and is forced into an uncomfortable situation. Luckily, Malalia's mother (Paula Sim) reminds her of an important lesson.
I like the plot of this film - it shows Malalia's longing to fit in and meet the standards of her friends. The theme isn't forced and is well developed throughout the film. Additionally, I enjoy Malalia's relationship with her mother. There is wonderful acting that depicts the trust and love between the two, which is refreshing to see. I think that the conflict with Malalia's friends could have been made a bit more clear. The movie spends very little time showing Malalia's relationship with her friends and we don't quite see how much Malalia wants their approval and acceptance. I am impressed with the performance of Sofia Inez Garcia's portrayal of Malalia. Malalia is a complex character - she tries to like herself, but cares a lot about the opinion of others. Garcia's facial expressions and tone clearly demonstrate how her character feels. I also admire Paula Sim's portrayal of her mom. We see how terrific her relationship is with her daughter. The camera work is clear and fitting for every scene. My favorite shot is the final scene where Malalia and her mom are hugging. This really highlights a powerful moment in the film and depicts how strong Malalia and her mother's relationship is. The sets are very homey and warm. I especially love Malalia's room. It is painted a gorgeous blue with stars and posters and really feels like Malalia's safe place. The background music is lively and is worth noting. It adds to the warm atmosphere. At one point, when Malalia and her mother have a heart to heart, and then lay on the carpet, hugging, the music enhances the power of this moment. The casting director, Marg Zhang, deserves praise. The cast beautifully showcases the story. My favorite character is the mom - she delivers the valuable theme of self love, is very supportive of Malalia, and has positive energy that is a joy to watch. My favorite scene is when Malalia asks, "Am I still beautiful?" and the mom responds, "Stunning."
The film's message is that it is more important to love yourself than search for the approval of others.
I give Am I Still Beautiful! 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. By Zoey F., KIDS FIRST!
I really enjoyed watching Am I Still Beautiful! It is a fun, lighthearted movie with a good theme that is relatable to most teens. Along with that, there are gorgeous sets, music, and lighting that really make the whole movie feel immersive.
The plot follows Malalia (Sofia Inez Garcia), as she hosts her birthday party. She clearly struggles with self love and her self image. We meet Ali, the boy she is fond of, who only thinks of her as a friend (or a brother). Malalia is desperate to gain the love and approval of Ali and the other boys she invited to her party. She succumbs to peer pressure, and is forced into an uncomfortable situation. Luckily, Malalia's mother (Paula Sim) reminds her of an important lesson.
I like the plot of this film - it shows Malalia's longing to fit in and meet the standards of her friends. The theme isn't forced and is well developed throughout the film. Additionally, I enjoy Malalia's relationship with her mother. There is wonderful acting that depicts the trust and love between the two, which is refreshing to see. I think that the conflict with Malalia's friends could have been made a bit more clear. The movie spends very little time showing Malalia's relationship with her friends and we don't quite see how much Malalia wants their approval and acceptance. I am impressed with the performance of Sofia Inez Garcia's portrayal of Malalia. Malalia is a complex character - she tries to like herself, but cares a lot about the opinion of others. Garcia's facial expressions and tone clearly demonstrate how her character feels. I also admire Paula Sim's portrayal of her mom. We see how terrific her relationship is with her daughter. The camera work is clear and fitting for every scene. My favorite shot is the final scene where Malalia and her mom are hugging. This really highlights a powerful moment in the film and depicts how strong Malalia and her mother's relationship is. The sets are very homey and warm. I especially love Malalia's room. It is painted a gorgeous blue with stars and posters and really feels like Malalia's safe place. The background music is lively and is worth noting. It adds to the warm atmosphere. At one point, when Malalia and her mother have a heart to heart, and then lay on the carpet, hugging, the music enhances the power of this moment. The casting director, Marg Zhang, deserves praise. The cast beautifully showcases the story. My favorite character is the mom - she delivers the valuable theme of self love, is very supportive of Malalia, and has positive energy that is a joy to watch. My favorite scene is when Malalia asks, "Am I still beautiful?" and the mom responds, "Stunning."
The film's message is that it is more important to love yourself than search for the approval of others.
I give Am I Still Beautiful! 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. By Zoey F., KIDS FIRST!
Fourteen-year-old Malaya is the quintessential tomboy who loves baggy pants and hanging out with boys. However, her world of familial expectation and rough friendships collide on the day of her birthday party, when she is forced to prove her masculinity once and for all in order to defend her best friend and secret crush, Ali.
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