Beverly Cleary was a big part of my childhood — I discovered Ramona in second grade at the classroom reading corner, which had a classmate’s dog-eared copy of Ramona the Pest. Soon I was hunting down the other Ramona books in the library, and reading Beverly Cleary’s other books, too. I wanted so badly to live on Klickitat Street with Ramona, Beezus, Henry Huggins, and the whole gang.
Ramona Quimby was a character I could really relate to (yep, the highly independent middle child / little sister consumed by the need to find her place and stand out, forever getting into trouble with her wild imagination and crazy ideas) so I was really curious when I found out about the Ramona and Beezus movie.
Ramona and Beezus is a 2010 film based on the Ramona books by Beverly Cleary. In the movie, 9-year old Ramona’s family is going through a tough time: Mr. Quimby has been laid off at work and they’re in the thick of a home renovation. Ramona has a lot of things going on in her life, too: she thinks her teacher Mrs. Meecham doesn’t like her, her sister Beezus gets straight A’s while she is having trouble with spelling and getting notes for her behavior, everything she does turns out badly while everything her little sister Roberta does is cute, the kids at school make fun of her, and her Aunt Bea, who is often her source of comfort, is distracted by the return of her high school sweetheart.
Those who’ve read the books will immediately recognize the plot from Ramona Forever, with some memorable episodes (the cracked egg, Susan’s boing boing curls, the audition with the tiara made of burrs, Ramona dangling from the ceiling, etc.) from the other Ramona books.
People who haven’t read the books will probably find this movie to be your quintessential feel-good family movie, and yes, it is that; you don’t even need to have read the books in order to enjoy it. But speaking as a Beverly Cleary fan (with high expectations), I found the adaptation quite lovely, and it was quite nostalgic to be watching the scenes I imagined in my head many years ago.
The cast really brought the characters of Klickitat street to life, from the Quimbys (John Corbett as Mr. Quimby, Bridget Moynahan as Mrs. Quimby, and Ginnifer Goodwin as Aunt Bea) down to the Kemps (bonus: Josh Duhamel plays the hunky uncle Hobart!) and Mrs. Meecham (Sandra Oh!)! Selena Gomez does an okay Beezus (she’s not as annoying here as she is on TV, thank goodness), but not enough to share the title, because Joey King’s portrayal of Ramona was hands down excellent. From the movie stills I thought she was too cute to pull it off, but she really manages to capture Ramona’s happy-go-lucky nature and zest for life, with none of the syrupy cuteness of kids in family movies.
I loved seeing my favorite Ramona moments in the movie, and I hate to admit how big of a mushball I am, but I was crying buckets throughout the last quarter of that movie — from the time Picky Picky, erm, well, you know what happens to him (I don’t want to spoil it but if you’ve read Ramona Forever or seen the movie I think you’ll know what this means) to the part where Ramona decides to run away (which does not happen in the books). I also love how they translated Ramona’s imagination into clever little fantasy sequences.
The adaptation works in a way that you know the people behind the film really understood how the books resonate with several generations of readers, and they knew how to treat the material so it stands on its own while staying true to the spirit of the books.
I was apprehensive about seeing this movie given how much I loved the books when I was younger, but I’m pleased to say I haven’t seen an adaptation as satisfying as this one in a very long time.
***
Ramona and Beezus movie, 4.5/5 stars
I’ve been very skeptical of this movie, but it sounds like it’s a lot better than I expected! I re-read the Ramona books last year, and found that I still love them as an adult. Thanks for the review!
I found you on Book Blogs, and I’m your newest follower. :-)
Hi Katie! Welcome to Bookmarked! :D
I had the same apprehensions, given the all-star cast, but the movie really surprised me. Get some tissues ready for the last part of the movie.
Oh, and I think they’re already writing a sequel film.
Oh this is a good dread, will check it out and the film too :)
OMG typo its not good dread but good read!! oh shoot so sorry , this book series sounds and looks promising to be a good one!
The books are great for early readers, Ella :)
Movie adaptations of well loved books are always tricky. I’m glad this one met your expectations. I haven’d read any of the books but I did watch the movie and thoroughly enjoyed it. I agree with you on Joey King. She did a great job. The peanut butter commercial audition scene was a favorite of mine. :)
Yeah that was funny. When I was a kid I wanted to do that too — in the giant Double Dare sandwich!
Oh thank you Bloo for this! I’ve been meaning to watch this movie but I don’t want to be disappointed! I am a Beverly Cleary fan too but too bad I gaveaway my copies when I was in High School! I’ll watch the film this week or next :D
Ishay, I think you’ll love it :D
Yay! I love Beverly Cleary too, though I liked Ellen Tebbits the most, followed by Henry and Ribsy. Beezus and Ramona will live forever :)
I love Henry Huggins too! :) Oh, I have not tried Ellen Tebbits! Must hunt down a copy…
*sighs* I got tears fell on my cheeks when Ramona ran away from home and feeling like she’s a pest to her family… I used to have that feeling when I was younger when I did something bad then :'(
I couldn’t disagree with the writer more. Selena Gomez is as much a part of this movie’s success as Joey King. Beezus’ tug between Blossoming into a young lady while dealing with the tough times of the family and the eccentricities of her adorable little sister is played extremely well and is highly believable. In fact, her moments of love and compassion for sister and family as well as her vulnerability with Henry are played exquisitely.
I would be, or will be as it seems, heartbroken without her in the sequel.
Equally, I feel it should be directed by the very same Elizabeth Allen. Ginnifer Goodwin and the rest of the ensemble should neither be written out nor replaced. They were perfectly matched both as realistic and believable relatives in their love and even in their outward appearances. They all seemed truly related.
Bravo!!!!