Uptown Girls
Directed by Boaz Yakin
- comedy
- drama
The story
Molly Gunn, the freewheeling daughter of a deceased rock legend, is forced to get a job when her manager steals her money. As nanny to Ray - the precocious, oft-ignored daughter of a music executive - she learns what it means to be an adult while teaching Ray how to be a child.
What it’s like
Bright, sunny Manhattan street life and warm apartment interiors give this comedy a breezy, colourful look, with sun-drenched Upper East Side streets, pastel-toned nursery and loft spaces, and a lively, pop-heavy soundtrack of 2000s rock and soul that keeps the energy buoyant. Its vibe is sweet, scrappy and lighthearted, a cheerful comfort watch for a lazy afternoon, a sleepover or a background movie while tidying up. The pacing is brisk and episodic, with comedic set-pieces and small, affectionate moments between its leads, and the emotional register stays warm and gently sentimental rather than tearful. Its central arc follows a chaotic, self-centred young woman slowly learning responsibility and generosity through a bond with a lonely, precocious child, and the story leans on heart and playful banter. Intensity is very low: there is no violence, no gore and no real fear, only mild comic mishaps, a little cheeky adult humour and some light emotional wobbles. It is for people who want something gentle, funny and uplifting with an affectionate New York backdrop.
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