Ain't No Tall Tale
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Ain't No Tall Tale

Netflix's newest teen movie is for people of all heights to enjoy.

94
Ain't No Tall Tale

Being a tall girl can be very complicated. People often imagine glamourous models with loads of poise and endless legs. Or star athletes whose extreme heights work out awfully well in their favor. For most of us however the reality is a lot less photoshoots and slam dunks and more like gawky limbs and slouching stances.

Tall Girl premiered on Netflix on September 13th, and when I saw the trailer I was elated. At 5'10", I've suffered through being in the 99th percentile for height for most of my life. This movie was a chance to represent girls just like me; what could go wrong? Internet trolls, that's what.

Shortly after the trailer aired, I saw people on twitter picking it apart, attacking everything they could find wrong about it. Some related to being tall and said it was unrealistic, that they didn't get made fun of or felt different at all. Others pointed out that other people have it way worse in high school, such as those judged unfairly due to race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. They bring up a valid argument, since minorities aren't seen nearly as often in romantic comedies, especially for teenagers.

However, why can't girls who are vertically inclined get this one movie for them? We grow up in a society that still holds on to some of the outdated values of the past about gender. Boys are supposed to be big and strong, while girls small and demure. This is nowhere close to the truth, where anyone can be and look like whatever they want and be the right definition of themselves, but those old ideas still linger, especially over the heads of young, tall girls.

Watching the movie, I immediately could relate to the 6'1" protagonist who did anything she could to not stick out more than she already had to. That was a big aspect of my own life around middle school age when I still seemed to tower over all my peers. Was the teasing maybe exaggerated to move the storyline along more and to obviously prove a point? Sure, but do you think that bullying like that doesn't happen at all?

Things like that really get into a young girl's head. They think everyone's constantly watching and judging their every move, especially when their moves are magnified by their long limbs. At one point, being tall was the only thing people described me as, and I used to define myself as the "tall girl", just like the main character Jodi did. She learned by the end of the film that she is so much more than just that one physical trait and also that it didn't matter if her dream guy's taller than her.

I know that might seem like a simple understanding, but society drills into your head from a young age what you should look like. Actresses in movies and T.V. shows are rarely taller than their romantic partners. Models might be seen as dream girls that everyone wants or aspires to be like, but a girl like me with broad shoulders and thick thighs, just isn't the same as a model, even if I share the same height.

This movie may not be revolutionary at breaking down the discrimination faced by so many kids in school today, but it's still a fantastic story of body positivity and self esteem that we never really see in film. Young girls of all heights and sizes can watch this film and take away a valuable life lesson that could really make a difference in how they see themselves, regardless of how others see them. If awkward 5'6" 11 year old me had this movie to watch, maybe it wouldn't have taken me as long to stand tall and see my height making me stand out as a beautiful blessing and not a miserable curse.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

58791
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37939
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

959472
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

195154
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments