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TO THE STARS
Director: Martha Stephens Cast: Kara Hayward, Liana Liberato, Lucas Jade Zumann, Madisen Beaty, Jordana Spiro, Adelaide Clemens, Shea Whigham, Tony Hale, Malin Akerman MPAA
Rating: Running Time: 1:51 Release Date: 4/24/20 (digital) |
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Review by Mark Dujsik | April 23, 2020 Director Martha Stephens is warm toward almost all of the characters in To the Stars, no matter how cold they may be toward each other. The setting is a rural town in Oklahoma, where everyone knows and judges everybody else's business with a smile, circa 1960, when certain business could make one a pariah or get one run out of town—or worse. The central story involves a friendship between Iris (Kara Hayward), a socially ostracized high schooler from a farming family, and Maggie (Liana Liberato), a take-no-nonsense city girl whose family has moved here after an "incident" involving her. Iris is constantly bullied for her plain way of dressing, her family's work, and her weak bladder. Maggie steps in to save her from a trio of jerks on a dirt road, throwing rocks with great aim and just enough power. The shy Iris gradually opens up to the new girl in town. Maggie teaches her how to stand up for herself, how to dress to fit in better at school, and how to have the confidence to be herself. On the surface, this story, from screenwriter Shannon Bradley-Colleary, is nothing special, but it doesn't need to be for a few reasons. First, Hayward and Liberato, in addition to giving fine performances that dig deeper than their respective characters' obvious personalities, portray a natural connection of mutual respect and affection. Second, these main characters' individual stories and challenges are engaging enough on their own. There's a degree of specificity to their situations, as well as the pain of each character, feeling as if no one sees or accepts either for the person she really is. Third, while the film establishes the gossipy and judgmental nature of this community, it also for a certain degree of understanding for its most unlikeable characters. Iris' mom Francie (Jordana Spiro) treats her daughter almost as badly as the girl's classmates, but we get a sense of the character's own pain, revealing itself as resentment for her life and regret for what could have been. Maggie's father Gerald (Tony Hale) is even worse, but a third-act scene allows him a pivotal revelation, although it may be too late. To the Stars may tell an obvious story about friendship and the darker side of small-town politeness. That doesn't matter, though, when the story is told with such compassion for and insight about its characters. Copyright © 2020 by Mark Dujsik. All rights reserved. |
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