Where do I even start with My Girl? This film made me miss being a kid—riding bikes, getting lost in parks and woods, and feeling free. It’s something you don’t even realise is so important until you’re older. But this movie isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.
What is My Girl about?
Released in 1991, the film stars Anna Chlumsky as Vada Sultenfuss and Macaulay Culkin as Thomas J.
The cast also includes Dan Aykroyd as Vada’s emotionally distant father, Harry, and Jamie Lee Curtis as Shelley, a makeup artist hired at the funeral home Harry runs.
Set during the summer of 1972 in a small Pennsylvania town, the story follows 11-year-old Vada as he lives in a funeral home with her father and her grandmother, who suffers from dementia.
Growing up in this environment has made Vada obsessed with death, and she’s convinced she’s always sick.
Her only real friend is Thomas J., a shy, sweet boy who’s allergic to nearly everything.
Together, they spend the summer riding bikes, going on small adventures, and just being kids—until something devastating happens that changes Vada’s life.
Jamie Lee Curtis’s Shelley becomes a steadying presence for Vada, and the connection between them becomes another emotional anchor in the film.
The movie beautifully captures childhood innocence while showing themes like grief and isolation.
It portrays the tougher parts of growing up that no one really talks about, reminding us how kids can feel heartbreak and loss just like adults.
Is My Girl Worth Watching?
My Girl is a heartfelt and moving coming-of-age film that still resonates more than 30 years after its release.
The casting is perfect, including Anna Chlumsky and Macaulay Culkin as they give sincere performances as the two kids at the centre of the story. Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis also do well in their roles.
The film doesn’t sugarcoat the pain of growing up, especially when it comes to themes like death and grief within families. But it also celebrates friendship, love, and the joys of being a kid.
One scene in particular involving Thomas J. is unforgettable and emotionally gut-wrenching, reminding us how life can often be short-lived.
I loved the ’70s setting – including the retro cars and cool outfit choices. Overall, if you’re in the mood for a summer film with themes of friendship and family, this should be your next watch.
Rating
Where you’ve seen Anna Chlumsky….Anna Chlumsky is an American actress best known for her breakout role as Vada Sultenfuss in the 1991 coming-of-age film My Girl and its 1994 sequel, My Girl 2.
After taking a break from acting in the early 2000s to attend college and explore other career paths.
She then returned to the screen, playing roles such as Amy Brookheimer in the HBO political satire series Veep (2012–2019) and appearing in Shonda Rhimes’ Netflix limited drama series Inventing Anna.
Where you’ve seen Macaulay Culkin….Macaulay Culkin is an American actor who became one of the most iconic child stars of the 1990s.
He rose to fame with his unforgettable role as Kevin McCallister in Home Alone (1990) and its sequel, Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992).
Culkin also starred in several other notable films during his youth, including My Girl (1991), Richie Rich (1994), The Good Son (1993), and Uncle Buck (1989)