Check out Kidzworld’s review of the Netflix film Sierra Burgess is a Loser. Does it really understand the internet and text craze dating scene? Could you identify with the characters?
By: Lynn Barker
Time for some back-to-school drama-rama. In Sierra Burgess is a Loser, ultra-smart, cute, full-figured teen Sierra (Shannon Purser of “Stranger Things” and “Riverdale”) tries to be okay with her look and nerdy/nothing status until she gets calls and texts from hot jock Jamey (“All the Boys" hottie Noah Centinio) because popular, gorgeous mean girl Veronica (Kristine Froseth) gave Jamey Sierra’s number as a joke. Sierra pretends to actually be Veronica because she and Jamey are really hitting it off. Can this possibly, eventually work out or will it all blow up in Sierra’s freckled face?
A happy SierraCourtesy of Netflix
Sierra at School
Unconventionally cute teen Sierra does her morning affirmation in her mirror… “You are a magnificent beast”. At school, she hangs with bestie Dan (RJ Cyler) and puts up a sign offering to tutor fellow students. She’s shy about reading a poem in class and, in the girls’ room, popular mean girl Veronica calls her names. Sierra just corrects the poser girl and is called “dude” in the hall. The school counselor tells her she has great grades but needs more social and club activities on her resume if she wants to go to Stanford.
Sierra with best bud DanCourtesy of Netflix
The Joke
When football quarterback Jamey flirts with Veronica, she gives him Sierra’s phone number as a joke. That night he texts the number and Sierra is flattered until she realizes he thinks she is Veronica. He is charming and they click really well so she keeps up the ruse. Of course he then thinks Veronica is smart and funny. Dan warns her that this obsession will only end up hurting her. Meanwhile, Veronica is hot for college boy Spence (Will Peltz).
Veronica and her pop palsCourtesy of Netflix
Working Together
Sierra corners Veronica. She knows the mean girl gave Jamey her number. If she helps Sierra keep up the relationship, Sierra will tutor her so that she will seem smarter to college dude Spence. It’s a deal. Veronica is slow to learn but does text Jamey some pix of herself. Finally Sierra agrees to talk on the phone with him. He says her voice sounds different but loves what she says. She likes that he’s not the typical dumb football jock. Veronica starts doing Facetime with him to keep the “game” going. The two girls become unlikely BFFs.
Sierra and Veronica are becoming bestiesCourtesy of Netflix
The Date?
Jamey finally asks “Veronica” out. Sierra is freaked! She can’t see him as Veronica. Dan agrees to “bump into” Jamey at a park with Sierra and introduce them. She is so overcome that she can’t talk to him and pretends to be deaf. Since Jamey’s little bro is deaf, he speaks sign language… now Sierra is really in trouble! They shake hands and there is an instant connection. She wants to tell him the truth but how?
What if Veronica really falls for Jamey?Courtesy of Netflix
Can Anything Work Out?
How will Sierra ever pull off a date with Jamey? Will Veronica get her college crush? How will Jamey react when he learns the truth? What if Veronica actually falls for Jamey? Will Jamey ever realize that Sierra is a perfect match for him?
Will Jamey admit he likes the real Sierra?Courtesy of Netflix
Wrapping Up
Netflix has become the headquarters for modern, teen-aimed romantic comedies (Kissing Booth, Set It Up and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before). “Sierra Burgess” gives us the stereotypical nerd girl heroine but with more of a classic “Cyrano de Bergerac” flair. In this case you have a “plain” girl, charming and great with words, agreeing to pretend online and in text to be her glamorous friend in order to woo a hot guy.
Jamey is falling for Sierra without knowing itCourtesy of Netflix
Although the situation isn’t all that new, the actors do a fine job in their roles, Shannon has an easy, goofy charm, Noah is cute and crushable and Kristine Froseth as “mean girl” Veronica is especially good as she unveils the family chaos that makes her a bitchy gal. The unconventional, eventual friendship between unpopular nerdgirl Sierra and beautiful, bitchy, rule-the-school girl Veronica is refreshing and shows some cool character development.
Band nerd Sierra hopes she can keep JameyCourtesy of Netflix
The tech updating of this kind of love-triangle story works well but the movie does turn back the clock and not in a good way, with a few stock rom-com jokes from old movies that dis minority groups and we could do without it. Like Oooo, could she be a lesbian? There is the stereotypical token, dorky/funny Black friend etc. This is weird since the film fosters a “be true to yourself and who you really are” theme.
Veronica has her own problemsCourtesy of Netflix
Overall, however, you can identify with Sierra Burgess is a Loser no matter what clique you feel you belong to in school and life. Certainly worth a streaming watch. We can go four stars.
Sierra Burgess is a Loser Movie Rating: 
Courtesy of Netflix
Sierra Burgess is a Loser starts streaming on Netflix Friday, Sept. 7th
What Do You Think?
Do you think you are more of a Sierra or a Veronica or somewhere in between? Have you pretended in social media to be someone you are not? Has that ended up okay or gotten you in deeper trouble? We want to know what you think! Leave a comment below about your feelings or the movie when you see it! Write your own review or record your opinions on your profile page!
