Wild Child

Review by Anthony Morris

Did anyone ever go to a girls school half as fun as the ones in the movies?

Maybe Harry Potter's to blame: he has made the whole idea of a proper English Boarding School Experience seem cool and fun, rather than just a school you can never leave.

Wild Child’s big innovation comes in the form of L.A. princess named Poppy (Emma Roberts), who gets shipped halfway around the world when her millionaire father disapproves of her tossing all her new stepmum’s clothes into the pool.

There is nothing surprising or original here, but that is half the fun.

The school is predictably snooty but charming, and when Poppy's scheme to get herself kicked out involves snogging the hottest (and only) boy in the film... the ending isn't exactly hard to spot.

Fortunately, Poppy's stock-standard journey from out-of-control self-loathing brat to properly socialised little lady is energised by lively performances and passable comedy.

So that when things take a turn for the tear-jerker (heres a hint: she is closer than she thinks to her dead mother) the sap feels halfway earned.

And there are bonus points for the dress-up montage and the slutty dancing scene.

3.5 out of 5

Wild Child
Australian release: 18th September, 2008
Cast: Emma Roberts, Natasha Richardson, Shirley Henderson
Director: Nick Moore