Letting freak flag fly, Disney+ style
A somewhat introverted boy is doing OK. Then he meets a possibly magical girl, and he’s doing great.
In the Disney+ teen romance “Stargirl” (based on Jerry Spinelli’s novel), Leo (Graham Verchere) and Stargirl (“America’s Got Talent” winner Grace VanderWaal) find each other — and themselves. As you can guess from her name, she’s a free spirit whose infectious positivity wins over the school and especially Leo, who’s been grieving his father’s death much of his life. But what will happen when her individuality puts her at odds with the other kids and even her adoring boyfriend?
It’s a familiar template: inactive protagonist, dead parent, popularity worries, a regional competition. But the film distinguishes itself from there, largely because of the direction of “Fast Color’s” Julia Hart. It’s a Disney movie, with sequences showcasing VanderWaal’s ethereal singing, but it’s shot more like an indie by cinematographer Bryce Fortner (“Ingrid Goes West”), with found light and warm colors.
Verchere and VanderWaal have some chemistry, and Verchere has a nice singing voice. VanderWaal acquits herself well enough in her film debut. The relationships and situations aren’t deeply explored, but it’s not that kind of movie. Does it effectively deliver its message of embracing uniqueness in oneself and others? Sure. It’s pretty nail-on-the-head.
For grown-ups, there’s a well-curated song score; for younger viewers, it’s a pseudo-fantasy about letting your freak flag fly.
“Stargirl.” Rated: PG for mild thematic elements. Running time: 1 hour, 44 minutes. Playing: Streaming on Disney+.