BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY

BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY…THEY GET EVEN is a misleading title for this sentimental comedy about serial marriages. Laura Chartoff serves as the twelve-year-old narrator, who introduces us to her three families created by parental searches for greener pastures. Laura doesn’t click with any of her siblings and step siblings, except for Josh, who is building a cabin in a mountain resort. Feeling sorry for herself, Laura stows away in Josh’s truck as he heads to the mountains. When the family members converge on the resort, Laura flees. Everyone must cooperate while searching for her. Laura finally returns and reconciles with her mom and step dad. Dad’s artistic block dissolves when he is forced to draw a portrait of Laura to assist the police search. All the characters learn a lesson or turn a corner of some sort by the final reel.

Unfortunately, there should have been more provocative insight into the chaos of marital breakup. BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY is pleasant enough, at times quite amusing, only mildly offensive in language, and optimistic about the possibility of harmony and change within families. However, these messages need to be delivered with more skill to a culture in which families are an endangered species.