Review by John Delia
Heartfelt and resonating the coming of age film To the Stars takes a simple theme and makes it a very cool drama. The acting here is very good by the whole cast that includes some fairly new faces in the young acting force. The theme and adventure makes the story interesting and would be as realistic today as it were in the 1960’s. It’s definitely a winner for mature teens to millennial adults.
It’s the small country town of Wakita, Oklahoma 1961 and young Iris Deerborne (Kara Hayward) is walking on a country road to school, as a pick-up truck comes by the teen boys inside yelling out some improper comments. She has had a closely guarded life by a mother who has had her thumb on everything up to now. Often the 16 year old has been shunned by the rich snobby kids due to her clothes and the black rimmed glasses, but she ignores the boys in the truck as they speed away. She’s not very popular a bit standoffish, so her schooldays have been ordinary and there’s a complete absence of friendships.
But today will be life changing for Iris as there’s a new kid in class, Maggie Richmond (Liana Liberato) who transferred into Wakita High School. Maggie has already had a lot of school experiences, but one of which her indiscretion found her family moving to this middle of nowhere town USA. She dresses well and quickly gets the nod from the Songbirds, the tightest and wealthiest click in the school. But, Maggie’s not the bully type so she quickly wants to side with Iris who she befriends. Things start to get better for Iris because of Maggie’s friendship with head Songbird Clarissa (Madisen Beaty) who has taken to Maggie’s self-importance due to her famous photographer father.
But as quickly as things are changing for both Maggie and Iris, there’s a netherworld that’s about to derail everything. Director Martha Stephens does a great job of setting up her film, introducing her central characters early on and making them compelling and likable. It’s the best thing that has happened to Iris and she’s about to break out of the chrysalis that has kept her intact by a doubting mother Grace (Malin Akerman). But, Stephens isn’t going to make it that easy as she adds a romance factor, the fantasy popularity, and a good measure of angst in Maggie’s world.
Directing two of the fastest rising teen stars in the business, both Liana Liberato and Kara Hayward make the film work. They depict the perfect friends, one a hero and the other a butterfly. It’s the perfect storyline and at a time where Director Martha Stephens has started to shine bringing good stories to the screen.
Liberato’s the most seasoned teen player being the star or co-star of the important film Trust, the mystery thriller Erased, and co-star of Banana Split. But it’s with To the Stars where Liana Liberato gives her best performance yet. She makes Maggie a confident teen who spins a bright tale to get her accepted at her new high school. She’s also a savior who pulls Iris out of her cocoon and into a new world. But there’s also something she’s harboring and with the aid of Director Stephens’ wise film development, it forms the surprise twist.
As for Hayward, if you saw Moonrise Kingdom and Manchester by the Sea, you already had a taste of her acting ability. But, you’ve seen nothing of her yet until this coming of age teen performance that will have you cheering for Iris and wanting her to live the dream. It’s her first co-starring role and it’s one you will likely remember as she goes on to bigger things.
To the Stars has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains language, sexuality, drug use and minor violence.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very good film for mature teens. (4 out of 5 stars)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Â Kara Hayward, Liana Liberato, Jordana Spiro, Shea Whigham, Malin Akerman, Tony Hale
Directed by: Martha Stephens
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 1 hr. 49 min.
Opening Date: April 24, 2020
Distributed by: Samuel Goldwyn Films
Released in: Digital