Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010)

Live-action adaptation of Jeff Kinney's illustrated novel about a wise-cracking sixth grade student.

Director:

Thor Freudenthal

Writers:

Jackie Filgo (screenplay), Jeff Filgo (screenplay),

Stars:

Zachary Gordon, Robert Capron, Rachael Harris

2 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Zachary Gordon	...	Greg Heffley
Robert Capron	...	Rowley Jefferson
Rachael Harris	...	Susan Heffley
Steve Zahn	...	Frank Heffley
Connor Fielding	...	Manny Heffley
Owen Fielding	...	Manny Heffley
Devon Bostick	...	Rodrick Heffley
Chloë Grace Moretz	...	Angie Steadman
Karan Brar	...	Chirag Gupta
Grayson Russell	...	Fregley
Laine MacNeil	...	Patty Farrell
Alex Ferris	...	Collin
Andrew McNee	...	Coach Malone
Belita Moreno	...	Mrs. Norton
Rob LaBelle	...	Mr. Winsky

Storyline

To Greg Heffley, middle school is the dumbest idea ever invented. It's a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are morons, wedgies, swirlies, bullies, lunchtime banishment to the cafeteria floor - and a festering piece of cheese with nuclear cooties. To survive the never-ending ordeal and attain the recognition and status he feels he so richly deserves, Greg devises an endless series of can't-miss schemes, all of which, of course, go awry. And he's getting it all down on paper, via a diary - "it's NOT a diary, it's a journal!" Greg insists, preferring the less-sissyfied designation - filled with his opinions, thoughts, tales of family trials and tribulations, and (would-be) schoolyard triumphs. "One day when I'm famous," writes Greg, "I'll have better things to do than answer people's stupid questions all day." So was born the Wimpy Kid's diary.

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Plot Keywords:

diary | middle school | school | cheese | bully | 

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Taglines:

It's Not A Diary. It's A Movie.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some rude humor and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 March 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Diário de um Banana

Filming Locations:

New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£671,161 (UK) (27 August 2010)

Gross:

£2,522,578 (UK) (1 October 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Color Force, Dayday Films, Dune Entertainment III

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

WILHELM SCREAM: When Greg and Rowley are playing the Twisted Wizard game, and when the orange dragon scorches the purple dragon to bones.

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Goofs

After their first meeting with Angie under the bleachers, Greg makes an excuse about hearing the whistle signaling the end of P.E. class before dragging away Rowley by grabbing his right wrist/hand. But in the next shot as they retreat, Greg is shown leading Rowley by the left wrist, not the right.

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Quotes

Susan Heffley: What is this?
[holds up dirty magazine]
Rodrick Heffley: That's not mine!
Susan Heffley: It was in your backpack.
Rodrick Heffley: No! It was in my room.
Susan Heffley: Does owning this magazine make you a better person?
Rodrick Heffley: No.
Susan Heffley: Did owning it make you more popular at school?
Rodrick Heffley: Yes!
[pauses]
[...]

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Connections

Spoofs The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

"THE FOUR SEASONS (AUTUMN)"
Written by Antonio Vivaldi
Performed by The International Sejong Soloists
Courtesy of Naxos
By Arrangement with Source/Q

User Reviews

An Entertaining and Fun Movie for Anyone of Any Age!

We went to see the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Movie this past week with a number of adults and kids and I have to say that everyone absolutely loved this movie. There is something for everyone to relate to in this movie, young or old. It stays true to the book which was a concern all of us had before seeing the movie. However, you don't have to read the book to enjoy this movie. In addition, the adaptation from the book to "silver screen" was one of the better ones I have seen and the transformation captured the essence of the story intact. There were a few additional scenes added to the movie that weren't in the book, but they kept in step with the story and didn't detract at all from the enjoyment of the film.

The cast was all well picked. The main character of the movie, Greg Heffley (played wonderfully by Zachary Gordon) stayed true to the book and he was totally believable. Everyone felt that this kid actor, Zach Gordon, did a great job of bringing life to this complex character and transforming Greg Heffley from a cartoon stick figure in the books to a real live person, while maintaining all his idiosyncrasies. It was also fun to watch him as, at times, he has these great facial expressions. The beauty of the movie was the added sensitivity and emotionality that presented itself in the film that wasn't available to us in the novel.

In the movie, Greg led us on an emotional roller-coaster ride throughout the film: first we liked him, then we hated him, then we felt sorry for him, then we loved him. His relationship with his best friend Rowley along with its ups and downs (hey, just like real life) was great for kids to see. For adults, it would remind us of the "real" friendships we had (from simpler times) in those early Jr. High School years. Before computers we had real "live" friendships and we really did go over to our friends' houses to "play".

I did not find the movie "trite" "predictable", or "slow". The comedy was evenly paced and kept the attention of the audience throughout, including my kids. This is a very entertaining movie that can be enjoyed by adults as well as kids. If you want a fun, witty, wholesome, and relatable story that will both touch and entertain you at the same time, go see this movie, it won't disappoint.