Ramona and Beezus

Plot

The adventurous and creative third grader Ramona Quimby (Joey King) often finds herself in trouble at school and at home, usually with her friend and neighbour, Howie (Jason Spevack). When her father Robert (John Corbett) loses his job and the family falls into severe debt, Ramona tries to find ways to earn money, such as selling "delishus lemonade" and a $20 car wash, which end up backfiring in humourous ways. Ramonas schemes unintentionally embarrass her older sister, Beatrice (Selena Gomez), in front of Beatrices childhood friend and crush, the paperboy Henry Huggins (Hutch Dano), especially when Ramona refers to her sister by her family nickname, "Beezus." Meanwhile, Ramonas aunt Bea (Ginnifer Goodwin) comes to visit the family and is one of the few people who accepts Ramona in all her eccentricities.

Ramona retires from her money making schemes after accidentally painting the car of Howies uncle, Hobart. The next day, Ramonas school portrait is ruined when she cracks a raw egg in her hair and when she cries "Ewww" in reaction to the photographer asking her to say "Peas" instead of "Cheese." Ramonas worries increase in music class the following day, when her classmate Susan (Sierra McCormick) reveals how after her own father lost his job, her parents divorced and her father moved to Tacoma. The news makes Ramona vomit and results in Robert picking her up early from school, which makes it difficult for him to attend a sudden job interview. When Ramona and Beezus attempt to make dinner for their parents, the pan catches fire while Beezus is on the phone with Henry. While the sisters argue, Henry overhears that Beezus loves him. Upset after arguing with Beezus, Ramona goes to feed her cat Picky-Picky, but is devastated to find the cat dead. The girls hold a private funeral for Picky-Picky and become closer and kinder to one another.

With Roberts attempts to find a new job going poorly, Ramonas parents decide to sell their house. As the family touches up the garden during an open house, Ramona reluctantly helps and accidentally initiates a water fight with the neighbours. The water fight concludes when it winds up flooding the neighbours backyard and exposing a box that Hobart buried years ago and has been looking for. Hobart reveals the box is full of keepsakes of the relationship he shared with Bea when they were teenagers; in light of their rekindling relationship, he proposes to her. Hesitantly, Bea accepts and the family begin planning the impromptu wedding. Furious that her aunt broke her promise not to get "reeled in," Ramona rushes to her house and seeks solace in the attic. The beams are unable to support her weight and break, leaving Ramonas legs dangling from the roof during the open house.

After the open house clears out, Robert scolds Ramona for her lack of maturity. Feeling unwanted, Ramona decides to run away; after seeing Ramona wont change her mind, her mother Dorothy (Briget Monyhan) helps pack Ramonas suitcase. Struggling with a heavy suitcase, Ramona arrives at a bus stop and opens it to discover her mother made it heavy on purpose so she could not go far and finds a book that Robert would doodle in, which depicts Ramona and her mischievous ways. Her family finds her soon afterward and everyone is happily reunited.

At Bea and Hobarts wedding, Ramona saves the day when she finds the wedding ring after Howie drops the ring. During the reception, Beezus and Henry share a kiss and dance together. Robert also thanks Ramona, as her teacher Mrs. Meachum (Sandra Oh) recommended him as the schools new art teacher after she saw the mural that Robert and Ramona made as a project for class; Ramona is delighted with the news as it means the family will not have to move. Before Bea and Hobart leave for their honeymoon in Alaska, Ramona gives her a locket with her school picture and Bea tells Ramona that shes "extraordinary."

Cast

Release

Ramona and Beezus was released in theaters on July 23, 2010, by 20th Century Fox and Walden Media to 2,719 theaters nationwide, and was rated G by MPAA, becoming the studios fourth film to be rated G since 1997s Anastasia.

The trailer was released on March 18, 2010, and was shown in theaters along with How to Train Your Dragon, The Last Song, Despicable Me, Toy Story 3, and 20th Century Foxs other films, including Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Marmaduke. The film premiered in New York on July 20, 2010.

It was released in Irish and British cinemas October 22, 2010.

Critical reception

Ramona and Beezus earned generally positive reviews. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports that 70% of critics have given the film a positive review based on 68 reviews, for an average rating of 6.3/10. Among Rotten Tomatoes "Top Critics", consisting of notable critics from the top newspapers and websites, the film holds an overall approval rating of 73%, based on a sample of 26 reviews. The film holds a 56 rating on Metacritic, based on 28 reviews. Eric Snider of Film.com said that "The resulting story is a jumble, and there are too many side characters, but golly if it isnt pretty darned infectious." Jason Anderson of the Toronto Star gave Ramona and Beezus a good review, saying that "(Ramona and Beezus) is a lively affair, largely thanks to the sweet and snappy screenplay by Laurie Craig and Nick Pustay and to the appealing performances by the cast."

Box office

The film opened at #4 on opening day, grossing under $3 million. It would earn altogether $7.8 million on its opening weekend, earning #6 at the box office. Over its first week, it earned nearly $12.7 million. As of November 20, 2010, its total gross stands at $26,645,939, surpassing its $15 million budget. The film made £84,475 on its first week-end in the UK (information based on the UK film council).

Home media

The film was released on DVD and Blu-ray combo pack on November 9, 2010.

Soundtrack

Currently, there is only one confirmed track for the films soundtrack entitled "Live Like Theres No Tomorrow", performed by Selena Gomez & the Scene. The song was digitally released as a soundtrack single on July 13, 2010. The song is also part of the bands second album, A Year Without Rain. It is unknown whether or not there will be a music video. Other songs in the movie, that may be included on the soundtrack, include "A Place in This World" by Taylor Swift, "Say Hey (I Love You)" by Michael Franti & Spearhead, a song from Peter, Paul, and Mary, "Here It Goes Again" by OK Go, a cover of "Walking on Sunshine by Aly & AJ, Eternal Flame by The Bangles and "(Lets Get Movin) Into Action" by Skye Sweetnam featuring Tim Armstrong.

"Live Like Theres No Tomorrow"

"Live Like Theres No Tomorrow" was released as a single from the upcoming Ramona and Beezus soundtrack album on July 13, 2010. This is the one confirmed track of the soundtrack thus far. There is currently no music video for the single. It is performed by Selena Gomez & the Scene and also appears on their A Year Without Rain album.

Critical reception

Kim Gillespie of Wiarapa Times-Age included this song in highlights of studio album. Bill Lamb, of About.com, also highlighted it and praised it: "an inspirational ballad that truly does uplift by the end." MusicOMH editor David Welsh wrote a mixed opinion; stating that the song "stumbles upon emotional resonance thanks in no small part to Gomezs most impressive performance to date."