Last Updated on September 27, 2024 by
Empire Waist is a 2024 Comedy Drama Movie Directed and written by Claire Ayoub. The film stars Mia Kaplan, Jemima Yevu, and Rainn Wilson, with a 1h 34M runtime, and was released on September 27, 2024.
‘Empire Waist’ headed by a talented director Claire Ayoub describes the real coming-of-age issues that teenage boys and girls face in their everyday lives fighting against low self-esteem, body-shaming, intolerance, and intolerance on an individual level, in the framework of high school communities.
The plot of the show revolves around a high school girl named Lenore (Mia Kaplan), who has achieved her goal of being an unnoticeable person. She is conscious of this defect and aims at minimizing her exposure due to the constant bullying by classmates like Sylvie played by Isabella Pisacane. At home, things are not much different. Rachel, the mother, is an overweight woman who is fixated on diets, and she constantly demands that Lenore lose weight; Mark, the father, cares for Lenore but is not as invested in her struggles and issues.
Nevertheless, the main character has a secret that nobody knows: Lenore is a professional fashion designer. Fashioning innovative and vibrantly-hued garments without ever wearing them herself. All of that is thrown out of the window after she is paired with Kayla (Jemima Yevu) for a biology assignment. Like Lenore, Kayla is also called names, specifically for being big, but she does not let it demoralize her. She has a strong character and fails to allow the negative remarks of others to demoralize her. As the story unfolds, Kayla learns about Lenore’s hidden passion and offers her to participate in the school fashion contest.
As their friendship grows, Kayla introduces Lenore to other outcasts: Diamond (Kassandra Tellez), Tina (Holly McDowell) and Marcy (Daisy Washington) who have their own problems but are supportive of Lenore’s designs and even turn into models for her outfits. These new friendships give Lenore the courage to start believing in herself, but she still faces major challenges—doubts, fear, and the ever-present harsh judgments from her mom and bullies at school.
The movie deals with matters such as beauty, acceptance, and expectations that are put on individuals—especially females—by the society. This is important because Lenore’s mother, Rachel, is preoccupied with dieting and body image: Rachel’s obsession with weight affects her daughter negatively as well. Despite the show’s emphasis on personal relationships as the key to happiness, Lenore is unable to find this happiness due to Rachel’s inability to express her true feelings toward Lenore properly and constructively; thus, the show adds another dimension to Lenore’s search for self-acceptance.
The main focus of this movie is the friendship that is portrayed between Lenore and Kayla. In the words and actions of Kayla, Ashley discovers a better way of living- one where you do not have to rely on other people to validate who you are. By the end of the film, the friendship between Ramona and Lenore rebuilds the latter’s self-esteem and helps her understand that one does not have to be a typical conventional high-school beauty in order to live her life to the fullest.
The film is not entirely dark; there are some comedic elements, for example, how Lenore and Kayla discuss some ideas and when the new group of friends is shown. They are fun to watch and come across as rather goofy at times, which serves to lighten up a subject that could potentially be rather morose.
Another of the primary themes is love, although is more subtle, with the shy photographer Charlie played by Aric Floyd showing affection toward Lenore. This subplot will depict how it can be hard for someone like Lenore to think that the man in the picture might genuinely be interested in her. It is a fitting touch to her story of a girl and woman finding herself and learning to embrace who she is.
There are various themes portrayed in the movie, but the most prominent one is the theme of self-empowerment. It establishes that while searching for confidence is not an easy thing, to say the least, it is even harder with negativity surrounding you all the time. Nevertheless, it also emphasizes the significance of loving and being surrounded by friends, and preserving one’s identity regardless of being a fashion designer or simply being true to oneself.
”Empire Waist” is not just entertainment and teenagers’ intrigue; it is a strife that most young people go through while trying to be themselves in a society that constantly reminds them they are unworthy. While there are certainly scenes that come across as a bit contrived or awkward, the film could be considered well-intentioned. It’s a friendly movie for the young audience who may feel shy or uncomfortable with their identity and this gives a clear message to embrace who they are.
The fashion competition subplot creates conflict for Lenore as the aspiring designer is torn between her passion and the fear of exposing herself through her creations. The wardrobe by Ashley Nell Tipton and Francesa Roth is distinctive and helps convey Lenore’s transformation throughout the film. Finally, at the end of the movie, one can realize that for Lenore, it is not about winning or losing the competition; it is about self-acceptance.
In the scope of its target demographic, teen audiences, “Empire Waist” is a wholesome, encouraging story on the value of embracing oneself, friendship, and sticking to one’s principles. It’s not the most accurate portrayal of the situation, but for teenagers who experience the same problems and feel lost, it gives hope and lets them know they’re not alone.
Empire Waist 2024 Parents Guide Age Rating
Empire Waist is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Rating (MPA) for thematic elements, suggestive material, teen partying, and some language.
