Customer Reviews

My Girl [VHS]

5 star:		(77)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I love MY GIRL. It's about an 11-year-old tomboy named Vada, who is growing up in the 70s. She never met her mother because her mother died when she was born. Vada lives with her widowed father who owns a funeral parlor and the funeral parlor happens to be Vada's home, as well. Vada is obsessed with death because she sees dead people coming into her home every day. Her best friend is a boy named Tommy J. (Macaulay Culkin) who is allergic to just about anything you can think of. Vada is also in love with her school teacher. When Vada's father hires a cosmatologist to put makeup on the dead people (and ends up falling in love with her), Vada soon starts to learn the true meaning of life. This flick also stars Dan Aykroyd as Vada's father, Jamie Lee Curtis as Shelly, the woman Vada's father falls in love with, and newcomer Anna Chlumsky as Vada. This is a great coming-of-age story that is very moving and at the same time, enjoyable and entertaining. With an all-star cast and serpurb acting, MY GIRL is a great movie to watch anytime! I also recommend the sequel, MY GIRL 2, which is just as good. If not, better!

I remember when "My Girl" came out in cinemas. I was in third grade, I was at a new school, and it was the start of a new term. First thing we had to do is get into partners and tell the other person what you'd done over the holidays. I still hadn't made any proper friends yet, so no one really wanted to be my partner. I told the teacher, and he told off the class for not being very friendly. That was embarrassing, but it got me a partner. And what had I done over the holidays? I'd gone and seen "My Girl", so I talked about that...

The girl of the film's title is an eleven year old named Vada (Anna Chlumsky), and she's a little strange. Still, that's understandable given the company she's grown up with. Her all too busy father (Dan Aykroyd) runs a funeral parlour in their home, her mother is dead, her grandmother is senile, her best friend Thomas J. (Macaulay Culkin) is allergic to everything, and the other girls in town tease her about her friendship with him. Is it any wonder that Vada is confused about death and love? It is the summer of 1972, a summer where Vada will learn a little, grow up a little, laugh a little, cry a little, sing a little. It'll be a summer she never forgets.

This film looks a little older than the early 1990s, and I think that's a little bit deliberate. Might of been a filter, might have been the type of film they used, I don't know. Everything looks a little dusty and old, like a faded photograph at times. It really works well against the scenery, particularly the lake and the trees, rather idyllic. The cast plays nicely against the backdrop, particularly the young actors Macaulay Culkin and Anna Chlumsky. It's a shame Anna hasn't been in anything lately. I wonder what she's doing these days? It's always nice to see a bit of Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis too. The characters they all play are intriguing, especially the way they react to what happens in the story.

It's a sad film at times. There's one scene at the funeral parlour where the pastor is quoting a verse from the Bible, the part where Jesus says "let the children come to me", and Vada, really upset runs up to the front. It was heartbreaking and symbolic. I cried just recently watching that bit.

When I was a kid, seeing the film for the first time back in third grade, I didn't think Vada's life in a funeral parlour was that strange. Looking back on it, I can see I was a bit like her back then. I was a bit confused about death for a few reasons as well. I'd say it's a good film about coming to terms with death, actually.

Definitely worth a look. Good cast, good story, good scenery. Great film.

A well rounded movie evocative of nostalgia, it is sure to melt your heart. We are given a glimpse into innocence that once was. Anna Chlumsky's flawless, natural, honest and mature portayal of the character Vada Sultenfuss is nothing less than perfect and Oscar-worthy. The movie is basically an intimate invitation to witness one eventful summer in Vada's life. It's about her relationship with her father and dead mother, her crush on Mr Bixley, her relationship with the cosmetologist who comes into their lives, her hypochondria and above all her adorable relationship with her best friend; Thomas J Sennett. This movie is Vada's naive yet insightful perception of life and death.
There is this one scene which brings tears to my eyes every single time I see it. And this one poem which breaks my heart everytime I hear it. I'm writing this review wishing I could give this movie ten stars instead. Definitely, one of my all-time favourites. A true classic.

This is the kind of movie you can watch more than once and get teary-eyed each time. Macaulay Culkin is Thomas J., an adorable little guy who is best friends with Veda, a hypochondriacal youngster determined to marry her creative writing teacher someday. Veda, played to perfection by newcomer, Ana Chlumsky, will make you laugh and cry. Her big, expressive eyes and soulful face are what childhood innocence is made of.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Dan Akroyd are the mismatched, yet perfect together pair of adults in Veda's life.

NOTE: This film is a good introduction to the topic of death for young children. It deals with the reality of loss in a very gentle, yet straightforward way and almost makes it easy for an adult to talk about the subject with a curious child.

The movie's soundtrack is also great, filled with all the best hits of the era (1970's)such as Wedding Bell Blues and of course, My Girl.

The sequel, My Girl 2, however, was not nearly as good, and the originality of this first film is completely lost in Part 2.

Even thirteen years after its release, My Girl makes me cry every time I see it.

'My Girl,' is one of my top ten family comedy films since they've been making movies. It ranks as the most entertaining, heartwarming stories about coming-of-age and apply yourself parenthood. About a mannerly, awkward little guy named Thomas (Macaulay Culkin) becomes the object of 11 year-old Vada Sultenfuss' affections (Amy Chlumsky). Vada is distant from her father, Harry (Dan Aykroyd). Vada never knew her mother. Her mother died when she was born. So, naturally in such emotional surroundings, her dad runs a funeral home. She is obsessed with death. Things begin to see light when a make-up artist, Shelly Devoto (Jamie Lee Curtis) answers Harry's job want ad. She's one smart cookie who gets Harry to realize that life isn't just death...don't ignore the living..especially his daughter. Vada is very mature for her age and has a kind of wisdom for someone her age. There are some funny lines here and there. My favorite is Vada and Thomas walking home from school. Vada asks, "Why do you think people want to get married?" and Thomas replies "When you get old, you just have to". You can feel the emotion after Thomas is fatally stung by a hive of bees. It's easy for younger kids to view it, as it's geniusly pieced together to filter the aftershock. Vada must realize her best friend has gone, and her look at life and death had changed. She gives a lovely eulogy about, "The Weeping Willow....he left one day/Is it because he could not stay/He found shelter in your shade/...../ for there is something to calm your fears; / If you think death has ripped you forever apart / I know he'll always be in your heart." In the end, Harry and Shelby become capable parents for Vada. 'My Girl' is a bittersweet tale of growing up and single parents becoming a family again that the whole family will enjoy. It'll make you wanna cry and smile all at the same time. I got that title soundtrack song in my head by The Temptations that won't go away :), ASIN: B00000284Z. If you like this film you'll like it's sequel much more, 'My Girl 2.'

This movie hits really close to home for me. My dad is a funeral director and we live over top of it. Also, I did not like my step-mother at first. This movie made me feel like it was made for me. It touched me and made me cry. My Girl is a classic film of a girl trying to grow up to fast in a time that was slow. Everyone I have ever talked to loves this movie. It will make a great addition for anyone.

MY GIRL is a wonderful movie about growing up and learning about life. Anna Chlumsky is excellent in her role as Vada, a somewhat different little girl who is obsessed with the subject of death. Seeing as her home is a funeral parlor and she has witnessed many such sad occasions, this is not unusual. Macaulay Culkin portrays Vada's best friend Thomas J, a sweet yet geeky little boy. Vada's unique spirit will make you laugh, and her final lesson on the true meaning of death and friendship will bring you to tears. I would definitely recommend this movie--it has a lot of humor as well as seriousness. It's a great film with a strong cast and good acting. Buy it and see for yourself. =)

It's hard being a young girl on the cusp of womanhood, but Vada Sultanfuss' (Chlumsky) life is really complex. She blames herself for her mother's death in childbirth. Her father's (Aykroyd) occupation as the town mortician only gives her a case of "Intern's Syndrome" where she literally believes she's coming down with whatever the cause of death was for the last decedent---the prostate cancer scenes were really sad and funny.

Then, her father hires Shelly (Curtis) as a restoration artist and the plot thickens as the two fall in love. Vada has a love interest of her own--her English teacher--who she pursues by taking a poetry class in the summertime.

WARNING: the film will make you cry in a couple of places. It's very well acted and in my opinion, worth at least one viewing. If you like coming of age films, it may well be worth owning as well.

"My Girl" is definitely a blast from the past. I remember so many of the 1970's references in that film, particularly the fashions and the music. James Newton Howard of Toto fame created the soundtrack for this film and as usual his choices for theme music for particular sections are just spot on.

Well done, overall!

I viewed this movie for the first time, when I was five years old. I can honestly say I remembered how sad it was, even though I didn't pick up on anything as distinct as enunciation or anything. Later on, I remember that I had enjoyed it when I was younger, and watched it once again. Through the sadness and pain and reality of this film, the characters shine through with the recognition they deserve. Anna Chlumsky has a wonderful debut as the precocious 11-year-old obsessed, or rather frightened by death. Her best friend, Thomas Jay is portrayed by Macaulay Culkin. Macualay does a great job, although, you'll be stuck on the character of Vada(Anna Chlumsky). Aykroyd and Curtis are also an awesome supporting cast. The movie takes place in Pennsylvania in 1972, summertime. Sadness and confusion about death overtake Vada, and when too many strange events happen, Vada's estranged father who doesn't understand her, must comprehend her. A fantastic and memorable movie! A must-see for all who have a taste for serious drama, or just want to relive the seventies fashions! Whatever the case, a guaranteed hit!