To The Stars

By: Maggie Stankiewicz

To the Stars is a female-driven coming of age tale set in sleepy Oklahoma in the 1960s, though its spirit has a timeless and universal appeal. Written by Shannon Bradley-Colleary and directed by Martha Stephens, this little film is steeped in familiarity that connects viewers to the characters within mere moments. From the opening scenes its established that if you do not see yourself in the town’s cast of characters then you certainly know somebody just like them. Following an unlikely but inevitable friendship between two young women, To the Stars is a beautiful story about the transformative power of friendship, acceptance, survival and, at last, freedom.

Iris Deerborne (Kara Hayward) has a hard life. Her mom Francie (Jordana Spiro) is an emotionally abusive, borderline alcoholic. Her father Hank (Shea Whigham) is a bit softer on Iris, but still enables Francie. Undoubtedly as a result of her tumultuous upbringing and very public incontinence issue, Iris is a loner who is mercilessly picked on by her peers. One day, while walking alone on a little dirt road, Iris is accosted by a truck full of teenage boys hellbent on harassing her. Their sinister shenanigans are interrupted by the new girl in town, Maggie Richmond (Liana Liberato). Maggie is the perfect portrait of a kind-hearted rebel. She curses like a sailor, is warm to those she loves and is a spitfire to those she doesn’t. Maggie gives the boys a taste of their own aggressive medicine and offers Iris a ride in safety.

Despite this act of good faith, Iris is unsure of Maggie. A life of quiet desperation and loneliness will do that to a girl. Maggie keeps trying though and the young women eventually bond over their shared love of a secret swimming spot that they both hold sacred. Maggie, vivacious and self-assured as she seems, is also suffering. Her parents resent her for her rebellious streak. Her father Gerald (Tony Hale) has a tendency to discipline her with the backside of a belt. Her mother Grace (Malin Akerman) lets it happen. Together, the young women bond and heal and hope for an escape from the town, and people, that hold them back.

To the Stars has a robust cast of characters to follow. From the mean girls at school like the delightfully snarky Clarissa (Madisen Beaty) to Iris’ charming and sheepish crush Jeff (Lucas Jade Zumman), the film could easily be led astray exploring the backstories and motivations of every single person. However, the movie manages to stay mostly on track thanks to narrative tightness – though I do wish more screen time could have been afforded to the town’s friendliest face, beautician Hazel Atkins (Adelaide Clemens).

Adelaide Clemens is among three standout performances in this film, as the only truly good-willed adult in the whole town. Hazel is sad but sweet and the cracks in her recognize the cracks in Iris and Maggie. The other two performances are the film’s stars. Kara Hayward manages to make Iris a compelling character, despite her underdevelopment. Liana Liberato brings a sweetness to Maggie that keeps audiences warm to her, even when she stumbles.

Director Martha Stephens did right by this movie and, by extension, does right by young girls struggling to overcome their circumstances. The scenes are well-dressed for an independent film and she truly captures the unique brand of claustrophobia that can only be conjured by the rolling hills of a sprawling Midwest town. To the Stars is a beautiful story about the power of simply being accepted for who you are – whether you wet your pants, disappoint your parents or simply try your best to make a name for yourself despite the hand you’ve been dealt. I was not expecting to feel as moved by this film as I was, but a strong cast and familiar setting were more than enough to remind this viewer about just how important it is to give others the freedom to be themselves.