shortstella
I really like this movie because it shows the true nature of today's society in schools. Fortunately I never let girls get to me like that in high school. When I saw girls like Nikki and Stacey I ran the other direction. For those who are teenagers watching this movie, please know that it's real stuff and the struggle is real for a lot of children in our country. Usually stuff like this happens because girls think they are better than everyone else, or are jealous for one's looks, IQ, grades, friendship status....the list goes on.
annevejb
In my review, comment, on Speak (2004) I mention that that I find this to be something that happens in the UK. Not in the schools I went to, though times change, but in other parts of UK society. I specifically quoted higher education and mental health. Odd Girl Out also reminds me of my attempts to use the FAQ and Message Board pages at IMDb.Starting drafting this, I still have not seen the story all the way through. I had to give up at the part where Alexa - Vanessa is writing out an English homework assignment for her previous best friend, so obvious that she is going to get really damaged by that. So, another Alexa that I have not been able to watch for more than 30 minutes is Repo, nothing like the sugar of Spy Kids or Prada.An interesting possible variation of this story as Innocent (2009). Background notes in the IMDb message board for this hint that the kidnapper might just be a variation on the Alexa – Vanessa role.
Elizabeth
This is no ordinary movie it deals with real life situations, hence it being on lifetime. In all, this movie brought me to a deeper understanding on the teenage life sequence and teaches you who your real friends are.It begins on an ordinary day at school, Vanessa played by Alexa Vega hangs with her 'friends' Stacy and Nikki. The beginning defines the whole movie; people are on their cell phones and the internet, spreading whatever rumor they could for their own amusement. We are then introduced to Tony, a potential love interest for Vanessa, involved in a fight, the girls are seen as popular as Stacy calls Tony out to talk to him, but he only shows interest in Vanessa.This movie deals with jealousy, popularity and control, and Nikki wanted to take control and push Vanessa out of the picture; Vanessa was good at soccer, a straight A student and even got the guy, Nikki obviously felt threatened. Fifteen minutes into the show and already you would be hooked.Vanessa is your ideal school sweetheart and can be very gullible at times, obviously if you believe someone to be your best friend would you tell them all of your secrets, Stacy used that to her advantage to bring Vanessa down. I think subconsciously Stacy had it out for Vanessa until her moral kicked it. This movie shows you how truly mean girls can be.Soon enough, Tony, remember the guy whom liked Vanessa, asked her out, after Stacy asked her to put in a good word for her. That was when they began to turn on Stacy and where Nikki saw it as an opportunity to bring her down *hmmm what are friends for right*. That was the first time the word 'slot' in reference to Vanessa was made. Nikki began her tantrums and pretty soon Vanessa was eating lunch at what was seen as the loser table, and Tony no longer spoke to her anymore. Still Vanessa thought that maybe she had said something or done something to offend Stacy, hence making the disturbing situation her fault, finding means to justify her 'best friends' actions. What I like about this entire plot is that all the characters are kept realistic, even though Vanessa still holds on to hope that maybe Stacy has a justified reason for being mean, no friend should have a justified reason for calling you names and condoning it for the entire school's benefit, but how could a best friend hurt you so deeply, easy, they are not your best friend or even a friend at all.Vanessa's true friend, Emily, was right in front of her the entire time, but she was labeled as being an outcast and even Vanessa saw that as being uncool even when she was uncool. Still, the people saw as her friends continued to betray her and threat as if she were nothing at all.Soon enough Vanessa went from being a high school sweetheart to having a broken heart. What was upsetting was still she confronted Stacy, hoping that if she caught her alone, things might be different, and Stacy pretended, lied, manipulated and deceived her again, her justification; it was probably pay back time for Vanessa for stealing a boyfriend that wasn't hers to begin with, or it was probably because she 'could' hurt Vanessa. The teasing continued and what broke Vanessa into pieces was that she still trusted her 'friend' but it crushed her when Stacy knowingly invited Vanessa to a party she knew no one would go to. Vanessa's mother was very moving as well. This movie also shows the value of parenting and what a parent would do for their child.What amazed me was the fact that Stacy felt bad for Vanessa and she still continued to bring her down, even when she was on the ground, she just mashed her some more. Vanessa also gave the school a lot more to talk about when she cut her hair and Over Dosed in her bathroom.The Internet and cell phones that were shown in the beginning were being used against Vanessa. Horrible emails, messages and video manipulations was being distributed across the school base. Why? All because she got good grades and was genuinely a good person. Wow that just shocked me, it made me realize how teenage cruel girls can be to others. I even asked the question, did Nikki feel like the better person even after every thing had gone as planned? Because it seemed like she planned this scheme from the start.After Vanessa Over Dosed, the only person that came to visit her was Emily the same 'outcast' mentioned earlier. she gave Vanessa the hope she needed to survive another day in school until graduation. Vanessa's pride was not crushed enough, at least not in Nikki's mind. After Vanessa returned to school, she began to trust Stacy again and even the apology she gave was not as heart felt, she was automatically returned to 'best friend' status. They spoke to each other online and Stacy's idea of a sweet laugh-off was to send it to Nikki, she took the next leap to embarrass Vanessa one last time on graduation day. Nikki read the email out for the entire school in front of Vanessa, and this time she did not run away crying, she faced her main opponent, Stacy.The end was sweat, but I did not get that feeling of relief, it showed the step's in Stacy reclaiming her life with her true friend by her side, but it ended too soon. They spent the entire movie demeaning Vanessa, but took the last few minutes to uplift her and it wasn't that satisfactory. I would still recommend this movie to anyone willing to watch this kind of true life story, you would not be disappointed.
schriftstellerin
The only reason I am giving this film a 3 is because it is supposed to raise awareness of mobbing. I had several problems with this film. First, the acting is just bad. Several times I had to guess if Stacy was trying to act fake or not when I know she was supposed to be. Second, the mother of Alexa Vega was just too passive. She doesn't ask enough questions, she leaves her daughter alone when she is obviously distraught- and even though she was supposed to be asleep, I would have stayed with her until we could have talked things out. SPOILER: then the girl tries to kill herself? I mean what were all those medications doing in her bathroom- it wasn't one she shared with her mother! Additionally, if I, as a mother, had gone to school and the school couldn't stop this bullying, because that was what it was, then I would have gone to the school board and the superintendent to get some action. SPOILER: I would have also ripped that email out of my daughter's hand and said Stacy was a liar. Finally, I had such a problem with the fact that what they were doing online is considered a hate crime. As a mother, I know where my kids surf. I would have known all about the website and chats just from the protection I have on my computers for my teenagers. There would have been none of the "who is this?" that the mom typed in and SPOILER: I wouldn't have had any of the "if you don't own up to your screen names you'll be expelled" stuff. For corn's sake, the principal was a black woman- she knows hate and discrimination- you'd think she'd be more empathetic.IMHO, this was not a realistic portrayal of any kids I know. They should have given Shari Perry more screen time instead of the little "gems of wisdom" she spouted. SPOILER: At the end, when Emily says "Give it up for the girl.", Tony (the loser that they were fighting over) claps and he is part of her group now? Like any daughter of mine would allow that to happen. The ending was super weak with Nikki using the hearts and flowers chat as ammunition.My daughter is 12 years old and said that the movie was stupid because it was unrealistic- 'nuff said!
