The late and great Brittany Murphy stars in the romantic dramedy Uptown Girls (2003), portraying Molly Gunn, the spunky daughter of a rock-and-roll legend who tragically died, when she was a little girl, in a fatal plane crash, leaving her with his hefty fortune. The film is set in New York City and provides the perfect backdrop to accompany Molly’s fiery and bright personality. When Molly’s accountant takes off with all of her trust fund, she is forced to find a job and make it on her own. Molly finds a job working as a nanny to eight-year-old Ray Schleine (Dakota Fanning), who seems to be ten times as mature as Molly for such a young age. Throughout the film, Molly deals with great misfortune but, visually, she remains the energetic carefree girl we are presented with from the start. This visual motif serves as an ode to Molly’s character. Wherever life takes Molly Gunn, sparkle and color are sure to follow her.
In the opening sequence of the film, Molly is awoken by her pet pig, realizing she is sleeping through her birthday celebration. Molly frantically begins getting ready as the camera travels through her expensive New York penthouse. Bright colors, childlike decor, and Molly’s sparkly wardrobe introduce the audience to the spectacle that is Molly Gunn.
Molly’s bright pink walls, over-the-top sequin dress, and hair clip (which isn’t actually a hair clip but a lamp shade she has made into a hair clip) emphasize the girly color palette that will be a visual cue throughout the entirety of the film.
Almost anywhere Molly goes, she stands out in the frame in comparison to the people surrounding her. When Molly first meets Ray, she goes to pick her up from her private school in the city. Molly’s childlike outfit accessorized with bright pink heart-shaped glasses and her “dressup-esque” stiletto heels makes her presence more than obvious.
Brittany Murphy in Uptown Girls (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 2003), directed by Boaz Yakin (23:14)
In the background stand mothers picking up their children in dull colors like white, gray, and black. Ray is wearing her school uniform and her hair is pulled back into a ponytail with a muted gray scrunchie. Molly’s crazy outfit and messy hair highlight her carefree spirit in contrast to Ray’s uptight nature. Making Ray, who is much younger than Molly, look like the adults surrounding her and making Molly look like the child.
As the film progresses, Molly learns a lot from Ray herself and from the new world she is living in. In the film’s final sequence, Molly interviews for her first real job doing something she actually cares about. She rushes to Ray’s dance recital, and even though she no longer works as Ray’s nanny, she has developed a bond with Ray that surpasses that job title. Ray taught Molly the importance of having a good work ethic,caring for people in their darkest times, and — crucially — always doing things that you are passionate about. In this frame, Molly bursts out of her seat, applauding obnoxiously in the crowd before Ray’s solo.
Brittany Murphy in Uptown Girls (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 2003), directed by Boaz Yakin (1:20:53)
Again, Molly stands out in the frame surrounded by businessmen and -women in suits and muted colors. Though her character has experienced tremendous growth throughout the film, her bright charisma and color palette never diminish.
Molly Gunn has never had trouble standing out. Her colorful wardrobe, extravagant interior decorating and bright smile add a beautiful layer to the film’s cinematography. Throughout the entirety of the film, Molly seems to be the only true pop of color, which would be a shame to dismiss as a happy accident. During each act of the film, Molly’s character slowly evolves to achieve the equivalent of a“normal” functioning adult. What is not lost in each act of the film is Molly’s ability to always bring a positive and infectious personality through not only her actions, but her style as well. The visual motifs presented throughout the film keep the audience engaged with Molly’s evolution but also provide the reassurance that Molly’s carefree, childlike personality is what makes her who she is and will never change.
Author Biography
Grace Miller is a senior at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she is pursuing a degree in Film Studies. She is mostly interested in the producing side of the film industry and loves learning all she can about the rich history cinema has to offer. When she is not spending all her money at the local movie theater in town, she loves writing screenplays, which almost always incorporate a love story.
