MY GIRL

US, 1992, 102 minutes, Colour.
Dan Aykroyd, Jamie Lee Curtis, Macauley Culkin, Anna Chlumsky, Richard Masur.
Directed by Howard Zieff.

My Girl is a very "nice" American film about families and children that will appeal more to young girls than to young boys. However, adults may find it undemandingly entertaining.

Anna Chlumsky introduced as Vada and is a strong screen presence. We look at situations and characters through her eyes. Dan Aykroyd, playing seriously, is her undertaker widower father. Jamie Lee Curtis is his vivacious assistant. A bonus is Macauley Culkin, star of Home Alone, as Thomas J., Vada's best friend.

The setting is the summer of 1972, the nice old days - the events are those of summer holidays. However, in the background are the signs of change, especially with President Nixon. There is some comedy and, of course, some tears as well as a healthy treatment of themes of death making it quite nice entertainment.

The sequel, with much the same cast, was released in 1994.

1.A pleasing film for young audiences? Older audiences? A piece of Americana?

2.The atmosphere of Pennsylvania 1972, the town in its detail, the summer? The musical score, the range of songs and the title song?

3.The title, the focus and Vada?

4.The background of the funeral parlour, the Gothic atmosphere of the building, the rooms for the embalming? The children in the household, the school, the lake etc?

5.The voice-over and its comment on characters and behaviour? The portrait of Vada, the young girl, the background of her mother's death in her childbirth and Vada with a sense of blame? Her hypochondria, her fears, going to the doctor and the doctor's treatment of her? Her relating to her father and other adults? Thomas J. as her best friend? Taking the kids in to see the coffin and getting their money? Her grandmother and her not being with it, the funerals - and her singing performance? Playing with Thomas J., talking, inventions, precocious? The arrival of Shelley and her attraction? The caravan and her visit, Shelley's money - and her stealing it? The trauma of her being locked in the room with the corpses? Her crush on Mr Bixler? His classes, taking Shelley's money to go to the classes? Her writing, the discussions with the people in the group? Her relationship with Thomas J., friendship and talk? The growing jealousy of Shelley? The Fourth of July, the celebrations? Her father dating Shelley, the bingo and her calling out? Going to the fair and her vicious driving of the dodgem car into Shelley? The importance of her first period and Shelley helping her? Her relationship with her father, the changes? Her running away? In the woods with Thomas J., the first kiss? Losing her ring, the bees? Her response to Thomas J's death? The funeral, her running away, meeting Mr Bixler - and her disappointment at his getting married? The future and her having to get over these episodes in her childhood? To grow up? The importance of the final poem about Thomas J. in Mr Bixler's class?

6.Harry and his primness, devotion to his work, his co workers? His friendship with his brother - and his more easygoing style? His love for Vada but taking her for granted, giving more attention to his corpses? The scene with his embalming his old teacher? Shelley's arrival, the contrast - and his being overwhelmed? Employing her, her work, correcting her? The outing - and his brother's urging him? The bingo and Vada's reaction? The dates, going to the van? The proposal? The sadness about Thomas J's death? The marriage to Shelley, the change of attitude towards Vada - and reassuring her about her mother's death?

7.Shelley, her background and boyfriend, her clothes, flamboyant style, the caravan, her arrival? Her applying for the job and her misunderstanding it? Her decision to stay? Vada's visit to the van? Her relationship with Vada, understanding her? Harry, the growing attachment, the going out, the bingo? Her helping Vada despite the dodgem car episode? Giving her advice, helping her with her period? The final clashes with Vada, Thomas J's death - and the reconciliation and a future?

8.Thomas J., his age, a nice boy, his parents? At home, watching TV, Vada's visits? Talk, accompanying Vada to the doctor? Playing together, discussions? The lake, the kiss? The bingo episode? Going back for Vada's ring, stung by the bees and his death? The pathos of his funeral? The encounter with his mother in the street?

9.Harry's brother and his worldly advice, supporting his brother?

10.Mr Bixler, his class, handling the students, the creative writing, his response to Vada, her crush on him? Going to him after the death of Thomas J., his own marriage? His being able to support Vada at the end with her poem?

11.The comedy with the classes, the variety of types, their creative writing, communication?

12.The doctor and his listening to Vada, treating her hypochondria?

13.The grandmother and her behaviour at funerals, silent in the house?

14.The perspective of childhood and change? From children's point of view, from adults' point of view?