Film Review: Beverly Cleary’s ‘Ramona and Beezus’ Works For Young Adults

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CHICAGO – “Ramona and Beezus” may not be the perfect film that Beverly Cleary fans hoped for when they fell in love with these characters but it is successful on its own terms in its refusal to talk down to its pre-teen audience and through the massive future star-power of its talented young stars. I admittedly have a soft spot for any film that places teachers on a higher pedestal than businessman and effectively teaches young viewers to stick to their creative visions. It’s flawed, but “Ramona and Beezus” works.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

2010 has not been an easy year for the Quimby family. Robert Quimby (John Corbett) has lost his job right in the middle of a massive house-remodeling project that has left the family a little strapped financially. Wife Dorothy (Bridget Moynahan) has had to go back to work and even precocious Ramona (Joey King) has taken to selling lemonade and offering car washes to keep the family from selling their house.

StarRead Brian Tallerico’s full review of “Ramona and Beezus” in our reviews section.

And that’s far from Ramona’s only concern. While older sister Beezus (Selena Gomez) gets great grades, Ramona’s report card features criticism about the young girl’s tendency to make up words. Ramona’s stuck in a world that doesn’t yet appreciate her tremendous imagination. Meanwhile, Beezus is facing the fact that her best friend from childhood could be turning into her first teenage love affair.

Meanwhile to the meanwhile (like a lot of young adult films, especially those based on an entire series of books, “Ramona and Beezus” features a number of subplots), Ramona’s role model, her Aunt Bea (Ginnifer Goodwin), begins to rekindle her childhood love affair with the charming Hobart (Josh Duhamel). The arc of Bea finding the returned Hobart again is clearly supposed to mimic what could happen to Beezus if the Quimby family is forced to leave town and she would have to leave her blooming love affair behind.

StarContinuing reading for Brian Tallerico’s full “Ramona and Beezus” review.

‘Ramona and Beezus’ stars Joey King, Selena Gomez, John Corbett, Bridget Moynahan, Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Duhamel, and Sandra Oh. It was written by Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay from the books by Beverly Cleary and was directed by Elizabeth Allen. It is rated PG and opened on July 23rd, 2010.

Ramona and Beezus
Ramona and Beezus
Photo credit: Fox

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