Wimpy Kid is Strong Adaptation
I remember during those final years of grade school being rather disliked for being clumsy and weak. My friend and I were two of those kids who just ended up together because hardly anybody else would give us the time of day. But that didn’t prevent me from occasionally picking on him, as I did the day I pulled his sweats down in fourth grade during a fire drill. That didn’t exactly get me the esteem from my class that I was expecting. The same was true as I entered middle school and suddenly decided to turn coat on my gawky friend in order to improve my chances of making newer, better friends. In short, I acted like a jerk under the pretense that it would improve my standing with others.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the live-action adaptation of the Jeff Kinney book series directed by Thor Freudenthal (Hotel for Dogs), reminded me of that time of my life.
Like A Christmas Story or The Wonder Years, Wimpy Kid follows an imperfect adolescent as he navigates a specific time of his life; in this case, the transition from the age of boogers and play dates to that of being cool and noticing the opposite sex. Like Kevin Arnold of The Wonder Years, kids will root for Diary’s Greg Heffley while adults will recognize the lessons his endlessly selfish and defensive intellect has yet to glean. Greg isn’t a bad kid, he’s just misguided and over-confident. So certain is he that being at the top of the popularity hierarchy is the key to Tween-Topia that he endlessly tries to be what he thinks is a better version of himself. The humor in the film comes in part from Greg’s bafflement when each of his ideas result in the humiliation or social exile he’s trying so desperately to avoid. He’s like a rat in a race of his own creation, constantly running into walls and trying different paths to a goal that doesn’t exist the way he sees it.
Kinney’s source faux-diary is a hilarious, yet episodic account of Greg’s events through his first year in middle school. It doesn’t have much of a story, but really connects through its humor and easy way it allows you to sympathize with Greg while also realizing his flaws – even when he doesn’t realize them. The film, written by Jackie and Jeff Filgo (That ‘70s Show), nicely takes as much of the hilarious episodes as possible, altering the little details in favor of the overall essence and tone, and creates a satisfying story about self-image and friendship. It doesn’t dumb down or preach to its audience. Nor does it become heavy-handed with its message or rely too heavily on gross-out jokes. This is surprisingly a rare thing in the family film genre. I’m reminded of The Sandlot or Freaks and Geeks, only instead of the ‘70s or ‘80s, Wimpy Kid takes place in the present. This is an important detail (especially hinted at by an ‘80s self-image class film). Instead of being nostalgic, the film suggests these messages are true of all generations. And that’s what makes it so relatable.
What sells Diary of a Wimpy Kid is its cast. Greg Heffley is played by Zachary Gordon, whose career mostly consists of voice work with the notable exception of appearing in the prologue to last year’s con film The Brothers Bloom. The movie depends on him and he steps up to deliver an acceptable performance. Virtually unknown Robert Capron gives a stand-out performance as Greg’s innocent and lovable pal Rowley. Rowley follows along Greg’s plans even when they hurt Rowley the most, all along quietly staying true to himself. It’s a role that could’ve either been goofy or syrupy, but instead comes off the most genuine.
And then there’s Chloe Moretz. Remember that name. This tween appeared in last year’s (500) Days of Summer as Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s sister (himself someone who could be mistaken for Zachary Gordon’s big brother). She’ll soon turn heads (if not blow them off) as the pint-sized Hit Girl in next month’s Kick Ass and this fall’s Let Me In, as the lead in the U.S. remake of the Swedish vampire film Let The Right One In. In Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Chloe plays Angie Steadman, the 7th grade voice of reason and maturity that Greg doesn’t want to hear. Hers is an original character not taken from the source but if she sounds slightly too wise beyond her years it’s because she serves as a sort of mouthpiece for the audience observing Greg’s ordeals. Only a talent like Moretz can pull it off and still feel like part of the fabric of the story.
Not everything here works. Patty Farrell (Laine MacNeill), the school’s uptight brat is so over-the-top that she’s at times closer to an actual sketch than a real character. And there’s a sudden appearance by some high-schoolers near the end that may have been directly from the source, but seems flimsy on screen.
While there are a handful of pieces that don’t quite work in Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the overall film remains an amusing and intelligent adaptation of the book and a fine reflection of early adolescence. While it may not be in the same class as A Christmas Story, The Wonder Years, or Freaks & Geeks, Diary of a Wimpy Kid can stand with head held high by their side.
Should you see it? Buy tickets
7/10
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is in theaters now.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the live-action adaptation of the Jeff Kinney book series directed by Thor Freudenthal (Hotel for Dogs), reminded me of that time of my life.
Like A Christmas Story or The Wonder Years, Wimpy Kid follows an imperfect adolescent as he navigates a specific time of his life; in this case, the transition from the age of boogers and play dates to that of being cool and noticing the opposite sex. Like Kevin Arnold of The Wonder Years, kids will root for Diary’s Greg Heffley while adults will recognize the lessons his endlessly selfish and defensive intellect has yet to glean. Greg isn’t a bad kid, he’s just misguided and over-confident. So certain is he that being at the top of the popularity hierarchy is the key to Tween-Topia that he endlessly tries to be what he thinks is a better version of himself. The humor in the film comes in part from Greg’s bafflement when each of his ideas result in the humiliation or social exile he’s trying so desperately to avoid. He’s like a rat in a race of his own creation, constantly running into walls and trying different paths to a goal that doesn’t exist the way he sees it.
Kinney’s source faux-diary is a hilarious, yet episodic account of Greg’s events through his first year in middle school. It doesn’t have much of a story, but really connects through its humor and easy way it allows you to sympathize with Greg while also realizing his flaws – even when he doesn’t realize them. The film, written by Jackie and Jeff Filgo (That ‘70s Show), nicely takes as much of the hilarious episodes as possible, altering the little details in favor of the overall essence and tone, and creates a satisfying story about self-image and friendship. It doesn’t dumb down or preach to its audience. Nor does it become heavy-handed with its message or rely too heavily on gross-out jokes. This is surprisingly a rare thing in the family film genre. I’m reminded of The Sandlot or Freaks and Geeks, only instead of the ‘70s or ‘80s, Wimpy Kid takes place in the present. This is an important detail (especially hinted at by an ‘80s self-image class film). Instead of being nostalgic, the film suggests these messages are true of all generations. And that’s what makes it so relatable.
What sells Diary of a Wimpy Kid is its cast. Greg Heffley is played by Zachary Gordon, whose career mostly consists of voice work with the notable exception of appearing in the prologue to last year’s con film The Brothers Bloom. The movie depends on him and he steps up to deliver an acceptable performance. Virtually unknown Robert Capron gives a stand-out performance as Greg’s innocent and lovable pal Rowley. Rowley follows along Greg’s plans even when they hurt Rowley the most, all along quietly staying true to himself. It’s a role that could’ve either been goofy or syrupy, but instead comes off the most genuine.
And then there’s Chloe Moretz. Remember that name. This tween appeared in last year’s (500) Days of Summer as Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s sister (himself someone who could be mistaken for Zachary Gordon’s big brother). She’ll soon turn heads (if not blow them off) as the pint-sized Hit Girl in next month’s Kick Ass and this fall’s Let Me In, as the lead in the U.S. remake of the Swedish vampire film Let The Right One In. In Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Chloe plays Angie Steadman, the 7th grade voice of reason and maturity that Greg doesn’t want to hear. Hers is an original character not taken from the source but if she sounds slightly too wise beyond her years it’s because she serves as a sort of mouthpiece for the audience observing Greg’s ordeals. Only a talent like Moretz can pull it off and still feel like part of the fabric of the story.
Not everything here works. Patty Farrell (Laine MacNeill), the school’s uptight brat is so over-the-top that she’s at times closer to an actual sketch than a real character. And there’s a sudden appearance by some high-schoolers near the end that may have been directly from the source, but seems flimsy on screen.
While there are a handful of pieces that don’t quite work in Diary of a Wimpy Kid, the overall film remains an amusing and intelligent adaptation of the book and a fine reflection of early adolescence. While it may not be in the same class as A Christmas Story, The Wonder Years, or Freaks & Geeks, Diary of a Wimpy Kid can stand with head held high by their side.
Should you see it? Buy tickets
7/10
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is in theaters now.