Ramona and Beezus (2010)

Based on the beloved childrens’ books by Beverly Cleary, this film brings the much-loved character of Ramona Quimby to life on the big screen.

Nine-year-old Ramona (Joey King) lives with her parents, Robert (John Corbett) and Dorothy (Bridget Moynahan). She has an elder sister, Beezus (Selena Gomez) and a baby sister, Roberta. (Note: her older sister’s name is actually Beatrice, but when Ramona was trying to say her name as a baby, she could only say Beezus, and this nickname has stuck, much to her sister’s dislike).

Ramona has an incredibly active imagination, and along with her neighbour and best friend, Howie (Jason Spevack), she has a lot of personal adventures just as part of her daily life.

Ramona Quimby (Joey King).

Unfortunately, to everyone else, she just comes across as a troublemaker and a pest. The only person who seems to understand her is her aunt, Beatrice (Ginnifer Goodwin).

When Robert loses his job as a result of his company downsizing, the family are struggling to make ends meet. Ramona is certain her parents are heading for divorce, and they are going to lose their house. She takes it upon herself to save the house and the family, but everything she tries just ends in disaster.

To add to the family’s woes, Aunt Bea’s high-school sweetheart, Hobart (Josh Duhamel) - who just happens to live next-door as well (he’s Howie’s uncle) - has moved back home, and is trying to patch things up with Bea, but she is not interested.

Ramona (Joey King) and Aunt Bea (Ginnifer Goodwin).

The screenplay, by Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay, is incredibly sweet, giving great insights into this close-knit family. There are a lot of memorable moments from Cleary’s books that have been woven into the plot, and of course seeing these characters brought to life in such a wonderful way is so enjoyable.

All the cast give their absolute all to their respective roles. Joey King as Ramona is particularly good, bringing this relatively complex character to life in a beautiful way.

Robert Quimby (John Corbett).

Among the rest of the cast, the clear standout is almost certainly John Corbett as the struggling father. An honourable mention must also go to Sandra Oh, who plays Ramona‘s long-suffering schoolteacher, Ms. Meacham.

Director Elizabeth Allen has made a wonderfully enjoyable family film, that may not have had enormous success at the box office, but is well worth watching nonetheless. I would especially recommend this film to anyone who remembers reading the books as a child, and certainly if you enjoyed them.

7 out of 10.