Uptown Girls (2003)

A grown-up woman, who kept her childish instincts and behavior, start working as a nanny of a 8-year-old girl, who actually acts like an adult. But in the end everything turns to its right places

Director:

Boaz Yakin

Writers:

Allison Jacobs (story), Julia Dahl (screenplay),

Stars:

Brittany Murphy, Dakota Fanning, Jesse Spencer

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brittany Murphy	...	Molly
Dakota Fanning	...	Ray
Marley Shelton	...	Ingrid
Donald Faison	...	Huey
Jesse Spencer	...	Neal
Austin Pendleton	...	Mr. McConkey
Heather Locklear	...	Roma Schleine
Will Toale	...	Briefs Model
Marceline Hugot	...	Nurse
Pell James	...	Julie
Quddus	...	Party Guy (as Benjamin Quddus Philippe)
Russell Steinberg	...	Party Guy
Fisher Stevens	...	Fisher Stevens
Susanna Frazer	...	Ballet Teacher
Wynter Kullman	...	Holly

Storyline

Molly Gunn, the freewheeling daughter of a deceased rock legend, is forced to get a job when her manager steals her money. As nanny for precocious Ray, the oft ignored daughter of a music executive she learns what it means to be an adult while teaching Ray how to be a child.

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Plot Keywords:

girl | nanny | new york city | birthday | inheritance | 

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Taglines:

They're about to teach each other how to act their age.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site Official site [br]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 August 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Molly Gunn

Filming Locations:

Central Park, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£304,525 (UK) (5 March 2004)

Gross:

£550,072 (UK) (12 March 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), GreeneStreet Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While the Lampshade as a head accessory was the production team's idea, it was Brittany Murphy's idea to scrunch it up and wear it as a barrette.

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Goofs

In the last few minutes of the Movie when the song is being played, Neal is playing a standard six-string guitar; however, the sound that's being heard in the movie and recording is from a 12-string guitar.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Ray: [narration] Some fairy tales are true, most of there stories we make up to help us deal with real life; it all depends on your point of view, but here are the facts... there was once a princess, who lived in a castle, high above the streets of an enchanted kingdom. The king and queen were long gone but they left her with a treasure, that she would stay a princess forever. On the eve of her 22nd birthday a great celebration was planned...

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Connections

References Maid in Manhattan (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Sexiest Man in Jamaica"
(2002)
Written by Chris Baker, Neil Claxton, Prince Buster
Performed by Mint Royale
Courtesy of Faith & Hope Records

User Reviews

Not a bad rental

Altogether, it's an amusing film, but its overbearing sentimentality prevents it from really taking off. Basically, if you've seen previews, you can pretty much predict the whole plot of the film. Brittany Murphy is an irresponsible girl who suddenly has to face up to reality when she's evicted from her home, has to get a job babysitting a pampered rich girl (Dakota Fanning) who also has to face up to reality, and by the end Murphy becomes a responsible, mature person and Fanning loosens up and acts more like her age. Blah, blah, blah. There are moments of truth that work, despite spawning from cinematic contrivances. There are in fact a lot of spoiled girls like Fanning's character, who get whatever they want simply because the mothers or fathers don't want to deal with them. That's also why I wish the film could've developed Heather Locklear's character more thoroughly, since she's the reason why her daughter acts the way she does. But the film does have a lot of contrivances that are corny and predictable, which is why I give it merely an above-average rating. Plus, Fanning's snooty sarcasm gets terribly annoying at times. I always hated watching that moment in all the previews where she'd say "News-fe-lash!" All in all, "Uptown Girls" is a fluffy, superficial feel-good comedy that doesn't fail to entertain, and I will recommend it for a rental.

My score: 6 (out of 10)