‘Tall Girl’ falls short of expectations

Rated just 38% on Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix’s “Tall Girl” has received mass amounts of criticism and ridicule from disappointed viewers. Standing at 6’1” and having lived the life of a true “tall girl,” I’m embarrassed. I looked forward to watching the movie, expecting to relate to the character in ways I hadn’t been able to relate to people in movies before, but rather found myself frustrated seeing the insecurity that can come with height so poorly portrayed. 

Many of those critical of the film couldn’t see why she was so upset saying things like she’s pretty, her family is financially well-off, and she’s white so she’s privileged, what does she have to complain about? Others joked that complaining about being too tall is like complaining that you’re too skinny or too pretty. The film doesn’t acknowledge the fact that there are people who have it much more difficult, which is why it is frustrating for people who have dealt with much more to feel for Jodi.

But, despite the occasional cringe, I can’t help but feel just a bit sympathetic. Being a teenage girl in general is hard, especially when you don’t exactly fit in. Being a tall girl is hard. When you spend your life surrounded by people who don’t look like you of course you will become insecure and start to hate the feeling of sticking out. It is really frustrating the way that tall women are force fed the idea that their body will make them unattractive to men. And kids can be mean and will make fun. And I mean, it’s also really hard to find pants that fit, but that’s besides the point. What I’m saying here is that Jodi has every right to feel insecure, just maybe not to complain as much as she does.

The movie’s failure to acknowledge the fact that Jodi while struggling does not have it that bad is it’s downfall. Had they focused more on the battle that is overcoming insecurity rather than begging for sympathy from the audience, they would not have lost the viewer. The way that Jodi complains about her small struggles like finding a boyfriend who’s taller than her or getting teased as if they are groundbreaking issues makes her seem whiny and annoying. It takes almost any appeal she may have had as a character to the audience and throws it out the window. 

Hopefully this is not the only tall girl movie and that the mini trainwreck that this film became will not scare away future film makes from the idea of teen struggles with body positivity, in particular for tall women, from taking the idea and properly portraying the difficulty that comes with sticking out in a crowd.