I don't think anyone else could have brought the character of Molly Gunn into life the way Brittany Murphy did in Uptown Girls.

Molly Gunn was an uptown Sleeping Beauty fairytale princess who lived a charmed life. Though she was an orphan of a famous rock star Father, Molly had all the money, clothes, comforts, friends and luxuries any young woman could imagine ever wanting. But, her world crashed down while she was sleeping (not literally). Molly discovered the money was all gone. The bills had not been paid in months and her credit cards were all maxed out. Suddenly she went from princess to pauper.

The Uptown Princess has to get a Job

Molly works as a nanny for a little girl (Ray) who is her opposite in temperament. Ray's Father is dying and her Mother is always too busy, so Ray is also alone. It seems things will never work out but, they find common ground (both are afraid of growing up and facing the hard things in life) and become friends. Right about then the bottom drops out, again. Ray's Father died just after Molly encouraged Ray to sit with him for the first time in years. Ray rejects Molly and then runs away. Molly is also feeling heart broken because she had to sell all her Father's guitars (the last thing she had held onto from her Father and her old life).

You Won't Forget Molly Smiles

It all ends well, good fairy tales do. Sleeping Beauty Molly wakes up and becomes an uptown princess with a practical edge and some spine to stand up to life with. The final scenes of the movie are Ray dancing ballet to "Molly Smiles" the song Molly's Father wrote for her (sung by Molly's love interest in the movie who is an up and coming musician).

This is one of my favourite movies. I love Brittany Murphy and she really does create the movie, bringing it from a good story to that wonderful fairytale quality with her zest for life and real emotion. In spite of being a rich princess, Molly Gunn is very lovable.

Beware, "Molly Smiles", the song, will stick in your head for a very long time and likely won't ever really be forgotten either.

Brittany Murphy is Missed

Brittany Murphy (1977 - 2009) had poise, a sparkle and a joy for life which I don't see often in people on film. A shame because where else would such things be best used than the media where everyone can see, and feel good seeing, them.