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• According to Greta (2009)

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Hilary Duff created a “sweet girl” image for herself by starring in Disney Channel’s Lizzie McGuire and films like Cheaper by the Dozen and A Cinderella Story. But it is in the movie, According to Greta, where Duff plays a troubled teen who is the exact opposite of sweet, that her true talent as an actress shines.

In the film, Greta (Duff) is a rebellious, suicidal teenager who has been dumped on her grandparents for the summer by her apathetic and self-absorbed mother. Stuck with them in a little beach town, Greta causes quite a bit of trouble for grandparents. However, while she is there Greta also decides to get a job as a waitress at a local restaurant. Fortunately she meets a boy who works at the same restaurant and a romance sparks between them. This boy may have his own share of problems but he tries to show Greta that she has a better life than she realizes. So while Greta struggles to find a point to life she is surrounded by loving, caring people that only try to help her.

Greta’s cynical look on life gives the movie a serious and melancholy vibe, yet her quirky attitude keeps the film entertaining. Any teen that has ever felt lost or has gone through a rebellious phase can easily relate to Greta. The film has a great balance of drama, comedy and romance, and while Duff’s role as Greta may be surprising to those who know her as Lizzie McGuire, her performance is excellent.