Wild Child (2009)
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42% of critics liked it
(24 reviews) -
68% of users liked it
(15,925 ratings)
The unhinged behavior of a Malibu princess (Emma Roberts) prompts her frustrated father to send her to an all-girls English boarding school in this teen comedy penned by Lucy Dahl (daughter of Roald Dahl and a boarding school alumni herself) and directed by Nick Moore. Poppy is a bratty,… More The unhinged behavior of a Malibu princess (Emma Roberts) prompts her frustrated father to send her to an all-girls English boarding school in this teen comedy penned by Lucy Dahl (daughter of Roald Dahl and a boarding school alumni herself) and directed by Nick Moore. Poppy is a bratty, self-absorbed 16-year-old whose pampered L.A. childhood has left her with a notable sense of self entitlement. Showered with unlimited-balance credit cards and constantly flanked by a horde of hangers-on, the ill-mannered Poppy loudly lets her parents know just how frustrated she is with her current family situation. When Poppy pulls a prank that goes further over the top than she originally intended, however, her frustrated father (Aidan Quinn) decides that it's high time his spoiled daughter understands the true concept of discipline and sends her off to boarding school in England. Upon arriving at her new school, American princess Poppy is taken aback to learn that she must follow the rules laid out by the stern matrons in charge, be in bed by curfew, and of course take part in mandatory lacrosse matches. While Poppy is at first confident that she can contend with any and all of these stifling lifestyle changes without due concern, there's one variable that hasn't factored into her self-centered equation -- her classmates. Now, as Poppy begins to realize that her British classmates simply won't tolerate her self-centered ways, she reluctantly admits defeat while vowing to shake up her stuffy school as she makes the transition from reckless youth to refined lady. With the ever-present headmistress (Natasha Richardson) presiding watchfully over the student body, however, Poppy mischievously sets out to prove that just because you're proper doesn't mean you can't have a little fun every now and then. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Nick Moore
- Written By
- Kate Kondell, Daisy Donovan, Lucy Dahl
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Aug 14, 2008 Wide
- Studio
- Universal Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Leslie Felperin, Variety
Competent if mechanical helming debut by editor Nick Moore.
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Dave Calhoun, Time Out
This celebration of mid-Atlantic compromise is one for the youngest and most forgiving of teenage girls.
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Joly Herman, Common Sense Media
Too much teen drinking/bad behavior for Emma Roberts fans.
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Brian Orndorf, DVDTalk.com
A slight but tart teen comedy, Child carries some surprising bite, subverting the norm with a fine British cast helping to sell the pixy stick fantasy, buttressed by Roberts's refreshing angry streak.
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David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
Mildly entertaining and utterly innocuous...
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Cast
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Emma Roberts
as Poppy
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Natasha Richardson
as Mrs. Kingsley
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Shirley Henderson
as The Matron
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Alex Pettyfer
as Freddie
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Aidan Quinn
as Gerry
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Nick Frost
as Mr. Christopher
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Kimberley Nixon
as Kate
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Georgia King
as Harriet
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Juno Temple
as Drippy
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Sophie Wu
as Kiwi
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Linzey Cocker
as Josie


