Bella Thorne Co-Stars In Indie Flick “Raspberry Magic” – Review

I recently got the chance to review the award winning indie film, Raspberry Magic. The film sports an all star cast including “Shake It Up” star Bella Thorne. Other cast members include Meera Simhan (Iron Man), Ravi Kapoor (24, Crossing Jordan), Lily Javaherpour (You Don’t Mess With The Zohan), Zach Mills (Super 8) and Alison Brie (Community, The Five Year Engagement).

I was insterested in this film for several reasons but the casting was a big plus for me. I absolutely love Alison Brie as well as Zach Mills. However, I also wanted to see what Bella Thorne could do. I’ve only ever seen her on Disney series and wanted to see what kind of acting chops she had outside of “Shake It Up.”

The plot is a definite coming of age story about a young girl who is incredibly intelligent and imaginative. The girl sets out to prove that human warmth and kindness have the ability to make plants grow. The results of which she sees via a “magical” raspberry bushel that seems to respond to her touch.

This movie is definitely a great film for families to watch together. It encompasses so many emotions and situations that young teens go through growing up that the characters are easily relatable. Whether it is the young girl trying her hardest to prove something, or being someone who is bullied by another kid, or someone with a difficult home life, everyone can find something to relate to within these characters.

We all know that life is never easy and often times curve-balls are thrown in your face making things even harder. Raspberry Magic focuses on that fact that people can make it through the hard times both on your own and with the help of friends or family.

The main character, Monica, played by Lily Javaherpour, goes through one of the toughest times a young adolescent can, a family falling apart. However, she preservers to pursue her dreams and help take care of her family at the same time. When her father leaves and her mother becomes depressed, she doesn’t merely give up and resign to the hardships, she presses back even more to make her experiment work and take care of those around her who have given up.

Bella Thorne plays Monica’s best friend and does a fantastic job playing the role of a best friend. She supports Monica and even defends her to the other science winner. Even though her home life involves an absentee mother and is often left to her own devices, she doesn’t let it bring her down and instead helps her friend through her difficult time. Thorne plays the role with gusto, not being afraid to express through her voice and her face. She make an effort to play the character exactly how it should be played without stepping on the heels of the main character.

I think families should watch this film together. It’s heartwarming as well as honest. It shows a family at it’s best and it’s worst all while banding together in the end.