In just a few short years, Beanie Feldstein has become a comedic force in the business. After first making an impression in the surprisingly great sequel Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, Feldstein of course turned in an incredible supporting performance in Lady Bird. Last year, she blew us away with a central turn in Booksmart, and now, she gets a starring role all her own. How to Build a Girl, which premiered last year at the Toronto International Film Festival, is a charming movie with more glorious work from the actress. She’s going to be a huge star, that’s a given. This is just an example of her taking a good flick and elevating it to nearly a great one. The film is a coming of age story, focused on small town girl Johanna Morrigan (Feldstein). Living in Wolverhampton with her very poor family, she dreams of a life more glamorous, hopefully as a writer in London. An overachiever in school, her writing isn’t appreciated, that is, until she gets a job as a music critic and reinvents herself. Initially as a way of making money for her family, as well as bonding with her dad Pat (Paddy Considine), but then as a way of embracing life, she goes from Johanna to Dolly Wilde, a free spirit who loves sex, hates almost all bands, and has a zest that few can ignore. This alter ego brings her some level of notoriety, but as she changes more and more, is she losing what made Johanna special in the first place? Coky Giedroyc directs a screenplay by Caitlin Moran, who adapted her own novel. Oli Julian composed the score, while the cinematography is by Hubert Taczanowski. Supporting players include Alfie Allen, Gemma Arterton, Frank Dillane, Jameela Jamil, Chris O’Dowd, Lucy Punch, Joanna Scanlan, Michael Sheen, Emma Thompson, and more. Beanie Feldstein shows off both comedic and dramatic chops here, anchoring the movie with a deeply human performance. Both as Johanna, as well as once she becomes Dolly, Feldstein is full of life, almost jumping right off of the screen. The material is well suited to this sort of liveliness, and even though no one else in the flick is on that same level, she still shines. In fact, it’s fair to say that her work is a solid part of why this is the success that it is. Without here, it would certainly […]