NetflixIt’s a film-plot as old as time; high school girl dealing with friends, family and bullies meets a handsome guy who sweeps her off her feet, but there’s something standing in the way of their love.
We’ve seen it in Mean Girls, A Cinderella Story and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging and while the plot isn’t exactly groundbreaking it still manages to be entertaining. Well, I think so at least.
Netflix have managed to inject a bit of originality into their latest teen romcom, however, because the protagonist isn’t just a high school girl – she’s a really tall high school girl. 6’1″, to be precise.
The movie, aptly titled Tall Girl, tells the story of 16-year-old Jodi, played by Ava Michelle, who is conscious of her height and what people think about it.
One scene shows a guy about to ask her out, only to run for the hills when he realises how tall she is. Of course, that’s nothing to do with Jodi herself but rather an indicator of the guy’s insecurities, given his apparent dread of being with someone taller than him.
NetflixThe 16-year-old compares herself to her ‘perfect’ sister Harper (Sabrina Carpenter) and embarks on a journey of self-love throughout the film.
While it will no doubt be cheesy, the film will be a good source of inspiration for any particularly tall girls out there who have ever felt conscious about their height.
However, some social media users have been quick to point out that the very quality Jodi is conscious of is a coveted trait among supermodels.
netflix out here making being tall some sort of oppression ma'am it's great for us tall girls we're powerful, it ain't that deep
— ℛaheelah (@simplicetic) August 31, 2019
tall white girls literally make up the majority of VS models,,,,but okay go off Netflix. pic.twitter.com/lYoLuZk3qQ
— Lauren Hope (@laurenhxpe) August 31, 2019
pls it’s not that deep why is this on netflix 😭 im a 6’2 girl & yea some made fun of me in hs but everyone’s been there at some point?? we arent some sort of oppressed minority, especially for a tall WHITE woman. we’re actually wanted by sport & model companies lmayo remove this https://t.co/TVc9zcWODg
— sab ✵ (@danvalkybrie) August 31, 2019
Tall Girl comes complete with a supportive best friend in the form of Fareeda (Anjelika Washington), as well as a good looking new exchange student named Stig. Oh, and we can’t forget about the obligatory make-over sequence, of course.
Stig, with his flowing blonde hair, is the tall guy of Jodi’s dreams but naturally the other high school girls take an interest, leaving Jodi doubting her ability to compete.
Fareeda encourages her friend to accept herself for who she is, saying ‘one day Jodi, you’re going to stand up and say “I love all 73 inches of myself”‘ and thankfully Stig doesn’t appear to be threatened simply by the fact Jodi is tall as he points out she’s more than just her height.
NetflixA synopsis for the movie reads:
Jodi’s new crush turns her world upside down and throws her into a surprising love triangle. Jodi comes to realise that she’s far more than her insecurities about her appearance have led her to believe.
The decision to zero-in on the struggles of a tall white girl has certainly caused some controversy – and the film isn’t even out yet. It will be interesting to see what people have to say when it’s actually released.
Tall Girl will be available to stream on Netflix from September 13.
If you have a story you want to tell, send it to [email protected].
Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.