Hey Hey It's Esther Blueburger (2008)

A coming-of-age story about a 13-year-old girl trying to fit into both a posh private school and an ordinary public school.

Director:

Cathy Randall

Writer:

Cathy Randall

Stars:

Danielle Catanzariti, Cassandra Jinman, Talia Monaghan

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Danielle Catanzariti	...	Esther Blueburger
Cassandra Jinman	...	The Slug
Talia Monaghan	...	Ribbon 1 / Missy
Yen Yen Stender	...	Ribbon 2 / Lissy
Laura Kettle	...	Ribbon 3 / Demi
Lucy Carey	...	Ribbon 4 / Sienna
Tisha Adey	...	Ribbon 5 / Prudence
Leticia Monaghan	...	Prefect / Cynthia
Christian Byers	...	Jacob Blueburger
Keisha Castle-Hughes	...	Sunni
Essie Davis	...	Grace Blueburger
Edwin Hodgeman	...	Rabbi
Russell Dykstra	...	Osmond Blueburger
Vanessa Downing	...	Music Teacher
Poh Ling Yeow	...	Sales Assistant

Storyline

This film is a smart, rueful and dead-on portrait of life's unending quest to fit in; and the girl who solves it by completely breaking out - introduces a feisty outsider hero unlike any other seen on screen. Esther Blueburger's quest begins when she escapes from her Bat Mitzvah party and is befriended by Sunni.., the effortlessly cool girl who is everything Esther thinks she wants to be. With the help of Sunni, Esther goes away from her ordinary life and leaves behind her malfunctioning Jewish family to hang out with Sunni's far breezier and super-hip single mom Mary and attend Sunni's forbidden public school as a Swedish exchange student.

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Plot Keywords:

school | girl | public school | coming of age | private school | 

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Taglines:

Sometimes to fit in you need to stand out.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, language, some sexual content and brief teen smoking

Details

Official Sites:

Lightning Entertainment [us] Official site

Country:

Australia

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 March 2008 (Australia)

Also Known As:

Hey Hey, hier Esther Blueburger

Filming Locations:

Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Box Office

Budget:

AUD 6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$341 (USA) (4 June 2010)

Gross:

$7,745 (USA) (4 June 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

120db Film Finance, EB Productions, Tama Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min 103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Keisha Castle-Hughes was pregnant during filming.

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Goofs

When Jacob and Esther are pretending to be their parents at the dining table and Jacob slides the salt and pepper towards Esther, in the next shot the salt and pepper are seen passing each other going in different directions.

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Quotes

[Esther meets Sunni outside her house while escaping from her Bat Mitzvah party]
Sunni: Hi Cinderella, you forgot something.
[walks to Esther and hands her back her shoe]
Sunni: Nice outfit.
Esther Blueburger: This is how you think? It's brand new. Do you like it?
Sunni: No.
Esther Blueburger: My mum made me wear it.
Sunni: And the tie?
Esther Blueburger: My dad made me wear it.
Sunni: You do everything Mummy and Daddy say?
[...]

User Reviews

Great Flick

This was an excellent film, it was funny, sad, and at times dramatic, i loved this movie and Ester's little duck, i have the soundtrack and there isn't one song i don't like in it a truly great Australian film.

I could relate to Esther as i am a social outcast (however i have never wanted to fit in) like Esther wants to. The storyline was a little predictable but i didn't really care as i just love the feel good ending.

I enjoyed this movie and urge you to see it all the acting performances were excellent especially the first time actress Danielle Catanzariti who played Esther.

Loved it all the way if you are wondering if you should see it or not. See it!