LOL (2012)

Movie Review: «LOL».

English Title: LOL: Laughing Out Loud.
Production: USA, 2012.
Release Date: 10.02.2012 (India), 04.05.2012 (USA).
Russian Distributor: Volga (28.06.2012).
Official Website:
Genres: Drama / Comedy / Melodrama / Remake.
Director: Liza Azuelos.
Starring: Miley Cyrus, Demi Moore, Ashley Hinshaw, Douglas Booth.
Running Time: 97 minutes.

The remake of LOL was bold enough only to introduce minor plot changes to the original story. They are even not changes, but more kind of expansions of certain episodes. Thus, the role of the senseless Therapist working for Anne went to actress Rebecca Finnegan, while previously Lisa Azuelos herself managed this in her cameo. More music was added to the film, while Miley Cyrus sometimes is just too emotional, feeling like her character is ready to fall for hysteria. A few scenes even got lost during the transition. For example, the one with the kids making a drink for Granny during the home party out of the specific white powder. The episode with drugs was cut out of the new version not to risk with getting a stricter age rating.

Instead of the UK, Lola’s school class will travel to France. This time Ashley won’t be left out and will go with the all the rest. The kids are to be distributed between local families, and one of them instead of worshipping the British Royal Family icons became a fan of a national heroine known as the legendary Jeanne d’Arc. All the old mobile phones were exchanged for some new models provided by the famous corporation reconizable by its fruit logo. Ashley Hinshaw worked the best on her character and managed to reflect gestures, facial expressions and mimics of Charlotte of Marion Chabassol playing her part in the original. The writers gave more time to the relationship between Lola and Emily. A few details were added also with expanding scenes for Lola and Anne. The Lola’s Father image was made more controversional, while all new modern hairstyles and clothes update the looks of the movie to current fashion trends.

The music makes a nice step forward for the remake of LOL. It is not even in the themes of the film composer Rob Simonsen. Portions of this soundtrack were contributed by external artists and bands such as BB Brunes (France), Foster the People (USA), Ingrid Michaelson (USA), Jonathan Clay (USA), Keane (England), Miley Cyrus (USA), Rock Mafia (USA) and even The Rolling Stones (England). Performer Jonathan Clay on behalf of Kyle also wrote and sang the title theme of the movie known as Heart of Fire (2012).

The rather old song Somewhere Only We Know (2004) by Keane is still very popular for sound producers. Last year you could hear it in Disney’s animated film Winnie the Pooh (2011), also it was a track of the original LOL album. This time Heart of Fire replaces Little Sister (2009) from the French actor and singer Jean-Philippe Verdin. Clay’s nice song in the movie is played by Kyle, who became a part of the band, which arrived to replace its former No Shampoo roots.

GameScope Verdict

The new LOL film closely follows the trail left by the original story. Both movies seem to be so similar to each other that the second one might interest only those, who missed the first, because of any reason, but still values the teen melodrama genre. When comparing the follow up to its predecessor, still the French version of 2008 would be better, because the acting there was more believable, and at that time it felt somewhat fresh. Though it would be justified to note that the update features more cool music and a few extra jokes.

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LOL Film Trailer

Movie Score by GameScope:

5.0 / 10