Jessica Darling's It List is a 2016 coming-of-age comedy-drama film based on a popular book series by Megan McCafferty of the same name. The movie is about a teenage girl named Jessica Darling, who is about to enter her first year of high school. She is nervous about fitting in, making friends, and finding her place in the world. The movie begins with Jessica (played by Chloe East) getting ready for her first day of high school. Her older sister Bethany (played by Emma Rayne Lyle) is a senior and gives her an "it list" of things to do in high school, from trying out for the cheerleading squad to speaking up in class. This list becomes Jessica's guide to survive her first year of high school.
Jessica quickly realizes that high school is not what she expected. She struggles to make friends and fit in with the popular crowd. She clashes with her overbearing mother (played by Jane Widdop) who puts too much pressure on her to be perfect. Her father (played by Eric Lutes) offers her comic relief as he tries to connect with his teenage daughter.
Jessica's life takes an unexpected turn when she befriends a group of misfits led by a girl named Sara (played by Ashley Liao). Sara is confident and quirky, and Jessica finds herself drawn to her carefree spirit. The two become friends and embark on a fun and wild adventure to complete Jessica's "it list."
Throughout the movie, Jessica learns important lessons about friendship, staying true to herself, standing up for what she believes in, and accepting others for who they are. Her journey is relatable to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider and struggled to fit in.
The movie is filled with humor, heart, and nostalgia for the awkwardness of high school. The young cast delivers charming and authentic performances, and the writing and direction are refreshingly sincere. The soundtrack is also a highlight, featuring fun pop songs and catchy indie tunes.
Jessica Darling's It List is not just a fun teen movie, but it also offers wholesome messages about growing up and finding one's identity. It is a delightful and heartwarming movie that will resonate with both young and old audiences alike.
In summary, Jessica Darling's It List is a charming and relatable coming-of-age movie about a teenage girl's journey to survive high school. It offers wholesome messages about friendship, staying true to oneself, and accepting others for who they are. The movie has a delightful cast, great soundtrack, and heartfelt writing that will leave you feeling nostalgic for the awkwardness of adolescence.
Jessica Darling's It List is a 2016 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes.
It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4.