I received an advance screener to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.
If you were to make a mixtape right now, what would be on it? That’s probably not something you’ve thought about for awhile, but back in the 80’s and 90’s mixtapes were the ultimate token of affection. Even in the early 00’s, when everything was on CD’s, I remember trading “mixtape” CD’s with my friends!
Mixtape, a new Netflix film, takes place in the last weeks of the 90’s- with Y2K looming around the corner. But instead of wondering what will happen when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, Beverly {Gemma Brooke Allen}, a 12 year old orphan, wonders what her parents were like.
Having lost them in a car crash when she was little, Beverly was raised by her Grandmother, Gail {Julie Bowen}- but Gail is still too emotional over the loss of her daughter to talk about her much and keeps her things hidden away. But one day, Beverly finds their mixtape- and she sets out on a quest to listen to each song and connect with her parents in the only way she can.
What I Thought:
I was 11 years old when Y2K hit {well, when it did nothing but freaked us all out for a few months} so just a year younger than Beverly in the film. Knowing that- and having two parents that worked for the USPS just like Beverly’s grandmother- I knew I’d connect with this film. But I did so for more than those reasons.
Mixtape is a great coming-of-age story that most people can relate to. The movie starts with Beverly not really having friends, keeping to herself, and spending all her time with her Grandmother. As the film goes on, she becomes friends with the girl down the street and even the girl who everyone’s afraid of- they bond over music and she realizes that under the tough exterior is just another 12 year old girl who wants to be understood.
They go searching for each song on the mixtape together {since it was damaged immediately after she found it} and it’s fun watching how we used to have to get our music- record stores and Napster definitely make an appearance. They even manage to pull off some sneaky things {no spoilers here!} that would never work today with the cell phone tracking and just general safety precautions we take today vs. in the late 90’s.
Throughout the film, Beverly comes into her own- ditching the style her grandma picks for her {which is so boring that she almost buys her the same sweater she’s already wearing, in a slightly different color} and spending more time with her friends. It’s shown naturally, and it really illustrates what that time is like for kids- mixtape search or not.
Gail has a lot of growth, too- both in regards to her grief and in her personal life. I can’t say more without spoiling what I thought was a fun, unexpected part of the film, but it was nice to see an adult in a coming of age film shown not as a total buzzkill who just doesn’t get it, but rather someone who cares and tries to understand, while dealing with their own stuff at the same time.
Is Mixtape family-friendly?
Mixtape would be an awesome movie for tweens and above. There’s some light language, menstruation is discussed and sobriety is discussed as well. Everyone’s comfort level will vary but I would recommend this for 10+ with parental discretion.
Interview with Mixtape stars Julie Bowen {Gail} and Gemma Brooke Allen {Beverly}
I recently had the opportunity to chat with the movie’s stars, Julie Bowen and Gemma Brooke Allen, to talk about the film. Watch to find out what Julie was doing during Y2K, how Gemma channeled the late 90’s despite not even being born then, the music they’d add to a mixtape and more!
You can watch Mixtape right NOW on Netflix!
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