Directed by Amy Poehler, this adaptation of a book with the same name sends an empowering message to the young girls of this generation: crush patriarchy!
Vivian (Hadley Robinson) is the most obedient person in her school. According to the unofficial list that some boys started.
Though it holds a little truth, she is not just the type of person that would cause any trouble with anyone. She believes that if someone is annoying, just let him be. He will get tired of it eventually, right?
It works all the time for Vivian; she keeps her head low, and no one notices her.
But not for the other girls, though.
It turns out, the boys in her school can be more than just annoying. They are jerks, sexists, and offensive. Its absurd no one is even taking a stand against them. They rank girls based on their bodies and how they perceived them, and they make inappropriate gestures towards them.
After witnessing their star athlete (Patrick Schwarzenegger) harass a new girl (Alycia Pascual-Peña), Vivian starts to see this maltreatment more clearly. And she wants to change it.
Inspired by her mom's (Amy Poehler) rebellious past, she begins to publish anonymous zine calling out these indecencies towards women.
This one-time, one-girl revolution becomes an instant hit. It earns Vivian allies and friends, but without many enemies, of course.
“Moxie” is a bold and fun film that all young girls should see. It digested all of the things they need to learn about feminism, such as its message and its positive effect on women.
Even more so, the film acknowledges the different struggles these girls encounter. Although not as in-depth as expected, it is nice that this film knows what it stands for and what it is fighting against.
Despite all of that, “Moxie” is still an imperfect film.
The side characters are pretty interesting, and they have real stories to tell. But the film never let them shine.
Frankly, this is a better film if Poehler stops meandering. All the romantic parts are unnecessary, and it distracts the audience from the big picture. Though Nico Hiraga’s character is likable, his presence is inessential. This movie is about bringing down the patriarchy, correct? Why is a ‘man’ been part of this women's movement and triumph?
In summary, “Moxie” is a gift that everyone should watch at least once. It is not perfect, but it is aware of the reality faced by women. A pressing issue that everyone should start talking about.
