Uptown Girls (2003)

13% of critics liked it
(109 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(351,076 ratings)

In this comedy from director Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans), Brittany Murphy stars as Molly Gunn, the daughter of a dead rock star, who lives off her inheritance and has never worked a day in her life. When her father's estate is swindled away from her, Molly suddenly finds her life of luxury and… More In this comedy from director Boaz Yakin (Remember the Titans), Brittany Murphy stars as Molly Gunn, the daughter of a dead rock star, who lives off her inheritance and has never worked a day in her life. When her father's estate is swindled away from her, Molly suddenly finds her life of luxury and excess pulled out from under her. Begrudgingly, she decides that she has to get a job and is hired as a nanny for Ray Schliene (Dakota Fanning), the daughter of record executive Roma Schliene (Heather Locklear). At first Molly can't shake her spoiled-brat personality, but eventually she and Ray discover that they have a lot in common and a strong bond is formed. Jesse Spencer plays Molly's boyfriend, and Donald Faison, who previously worked with Murphy in Clueless, plays another record executive who offers Molly a place to live until she gets on her feet. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Boaz Yakin
Written By: Mo Ogrodnik, Julia Dahl, Lisa Davidowitz
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 15, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Jan 6, 2004
Studio: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

Critic Reviews

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer
Though I found Mr. Yakin's direction unexpectedly imaginative, and the script often incongruously subtle, I couldn't get into the spirit of all the whimsy, the reason being the surprising lack of charm in the two leads.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
Can two over-pampered but fundamentally lonely persons of the blonde female persuasion bond meaningfully with each other while shopping?
Bob Campbell, Newark Star-Ledger
Yakin shuns caricature. His affection for all his feckless characters, even Fanning's narcissistic mom (Heather Locklear), is evident.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
Combine two mannered performances with a script intent on achieving maximum cuteness, and you've got one wince-inducing sugar rush.
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Gives chick flicks a bad name.
Laura Sinagra, Village Voice
Locates Fanning's 'maturity' in a fear of germs that comes off as borderline psychotic, and Murphy's childlike free spirit in her apparent inability to avoid walking into walls.
Nell Minow, Common Sense Media
A lame, predictable comedy.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Fanning practically dares the audience to throw sharp objects at the screen with her thoroughly obnoxious performance.
Austin O'Connor, Lowell Sun
horribly misguided
Jorge Avila Andrade, Moviola
'El resultado es bastante mediocre, pues la cinta es bastante predecible y francamente aburrida'

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Bethany M

A good chick flick with some heartwarming scenes! A must see!
Dead A

<i>Act your age not your shoe size.</i> Dakota Fanning reminded me of Christina Ricci from <i>Addams Family</i>. Her acting in this movie was spectacular. Brittany Murphy (R.I.P) was good as well. This was pretty enjoyable.
Jameson W

A decent, enjoyable film. I really love Brittany Murphy!
Michael S

Pretty decent fluff. Quite suprising actually.
Spencer S

Even if it's a little unoriginal, Dakota Fanning gives an amazing performance, that is as anal as it is charming.
Nicki M

Rewatched this one again recently and think I enjoyed it even more than I did when I watched it years ago. Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning make a great pair in this, Dakota as a young girl old beyond her years and Brittany as an eccentric rich girl who finds herself suddenly broke… More
Rewatched this one again recently and think I enjoyed it even more than I did when I watched it years ago. Brittany Murphy and Dakota Fanning make a great pair in this, Dakota as a young girl old beyond her years and Brittany as an eccentric rich girl who finds herself suddenly broke and has to work as a nanny to make money. Brittany really did have an amazing screen presence. It is beyond sad that she died, and Dakota, as always is excellent in this. A sweet, funny feel good movie with a slightly dodgy ending.
Cassandra M

Molly Gunn: That's your dad? Ray: Was. Now he's a vegetable. And soon he'll be nothing. Molly Gun: Thats a little harsh. Ray: Its a harsh world. In my humble opinion the only reason that this film didn't get the acclaim it deserved was because adults wrote it off… More
Molly Gunn: That's your dad? Ray: Was. Now he's a vegetable. And soon he'll be nothing. Molly Gun: Thats a little harsh. Ray: Its a harsh world. In my humble opinion the only reason that this film didn't get the acclaim it deserved was because adults wrote it off as a 'kids' movie and the kids didn't understand the emotional plot line. Brittany Murphy uses her ditzy/sexy combination to maximum effect in Uptown Girls. Molly Gunn (Brittany Murphy) is a woman who's rock and roll parents died when she was very young, leaving her with enough money so that she would never have to mature past the age she was when her parents left her. Ray Schlein (Dakota Fanning) is a spoilt brat who's mother ignores her and who's father is comatose. Consequently she has evolved prematurely into an uptight, adult-like child who fears germs, mess and most importantly, fun. So when Molly and Rays worlds collide, they accidentally begin teaching each other how to act their ages. But when Rays life begins to take the same tragic turn as Mollys did, Mollys forced to act like a 'grown up' for the fist time in her life. This movie is a real tear jerker. I dare anyone not to watch it and feel they haven't gained something from it. Don't believe the people who hate it, its a fantastic movie and yes; its a chick-flick but that Doesn't make it terrible! The ending is just...beautiful.
Dean M

Cute little fantasy about a spoiled heiress whose wealth has disappeared. Finding work as a nanny, she grows up under her serious young charge's care. Dakota Fanning is aborable as the serious eight-year-old. Billed as a comedy, this is also full of dramatic moments.
Dean L

Was this Academy Award winning material?...NO...of course not, but that is not what you rent this kind of a film for now is it? You rent this film because you want a little fluff with some heart and a few laughs (nothing gut-busting, but laughs). This film delivers all of that with a… More
Was this Academy Award winning material?...NO...of course not, but that is not what you rent this kind of a film for now is it? You rent this film because you want a little fluff with some heart and a few laughs (nothing gut-busting, but laughs). This film delivers all of that with a shiny new Dakota Fanning (Who was really quite marvelous...talk about precocious!) This movie was light and fun. It had heart and humor and even tried to deliver a message (actually tries to slap you upside the head with it, but not overly obnoxious about it). Sit back, cuddle up, and suspend your intellect...you won't need it here. This movie is purely for fun. Enjoy.
Sanjaya &

An ordinary comedy about life of a grown-ups... I love Brittany Murphy's character... Even her acting was a disaster, but she looks fit for that role... And Dakota Fanning was charming.. she's save Murphy and this movie too, I think..
Jennifer X

it's times like this when i throw my hands up to hollywood asking why it makes such trash.
Rachel F

not that great
danny d

eh, it is what it is i guess
Leigh R

Such a sweet story.
Andrew F

There is some terrible acting in this film.
Nicolas K

How did I end up watching this?
Jason S

Britney Murphy is fun and loveable, and Dakota has spirit, but its a lifeless affair for the most part. Lessons are learned by the end and for some this will be good, but its never that good.
Sarah P

I had some preconceived notions going in, but I actually really liked this movie and I thought Dakota Fanning did an excellent job.
Juli R

I liked this movie. Brittany Murphy is luminescent and turns this movie into more than a cliche. She is vulnerable, sexy, ditzy. There are echoes from her character in Eight Mile. Murphy's light went out much too soon.
d j

not a fan of Britney Murphy but Dakota Fanning is remarkable in this movie. I believe this is her first film...not sure. A cute chick flick.