This is peak mid-2000s earnest teen girl cinema—think pre-smartphone, pre-social-media, when summer meant actual separation and magical pants could be a plot device. The friendship portrayal is genuinely lovely and the issues tackled (grief, body image, cultural identity, family drama) have real weight.
But let's be honest: this movie moves at a glacial pace by 2025 standards, and the earnest emotional sincerity might land as cringe for kids used to irony-poisoned TikTok content. The 82% Rotten Tomatoes score reflects that critics appreciated its heart, but your 13-year-old might struggle to stay engaged.
The heavier content—particularly the suicide discussion and sexual situations—means this isn't a casual family movie night pick. It's more of a 'watch with your tween/teen and be ready to talk' situation. If your kid loves character-driven stories and can handle some emotional heaviness, this delivers. If they need constant action or modern pacing, they'll be checking their phone by minute 20.




