As a guy who’s many decades past the sell-by date of this movie’s target audience, all I can say is that I rather loved this film. It reminded me of my high school fight-the-power movies like Pump up the Volume or Heathers (or even The Legend of Billie Jean… which is a little corny but still hits that youth anger button). I’ve been seeing some pretty negative reviews of this one and how it gets feminism (or intersectional feminism) wrong… and all I can say is that it worked for me. Fight the power! Smash the patriarchy, even?!

Moxie is directed by Amy Poehler, continuing to do what she can for the cause of women and young ladies (based on a book which I’ve seen but not read). It’s about an introverted high school girl who has an awakening when a new girl who refuses to look down joins the school. Taking cues from her mom’s youth as a riot grrrl, she writes a zine calling out the misogynistic entitled boys in her school. Yes, she’s kicking against the patriarchy (hello Gone Home) and soon she’s the secret leader of a righteous uprising demanding fair treatment in sports, dress codes, etc.

I was fully into this movie. I loved its message, I loved its charm, its anger, its indignation, its willingness to just put its message on its sleeve (or in stars on its hand), and it’s unwillingness to be subtle. Sure, I think a subtle movie is a smarter movie but sometimes you also just have to crank Bikini Kill up to eleven and shout your anger at the sky. I found the lead actors all appealing, watchable, and smart and I was rooting for them… whether it was awkward teen romances or fighting the system.

The movie reminded me of my not-so-rebellious youth… or, as I mentioned above, the movies that took the place of that rebellion. And I think it’s well worth watching for anyone who’s a teen (PG-13 well-earned) or remembers those days fondly or otherwise.

Score: 88