A Slice of Life: Reviewing the Blacklisted Script ‘Pizza Girl’
At ScriptReader.studio, we pride ourselves on providing insightful and nuanced feedback on scripts from writers around the world. Our latest read took us into the life of an 18-year-old pregnant pizza delivery girl whose obsession with a new neighbour sparks a journey of self-discovery.
Our team of 100% human readers leave feedback and we discuss our findings each week but we use AI to help summarise and draft our thoughts and post here.
The Premise
Pizza Girl, which placed an impressive 4th on the 2022 Blacklist, follows its nameless protagonist — an alcoholic teen grappling with trauma from her father’s death. When a mysterious woman named Jenny moves into the neighbourhood, Pizza Girl becomes fixated on inserting herself into Jenny’s idyllic family life.
Shades of Grey
The script paints its characters with masterful shades of grey. As one reader noted, “There were no simplistic or one-dimensional aspects of the story.” Pizza Girl’s choices, while shocking at times, remain grounded by her frayed psychological state.
Readers praised the nuanced relationships, such as Pizza Girl’s complex dynamic with her boyfriend Billy. The lack of clear heroes or villains allows themes like trauma, addiction, and sexuality to shine through.
A Bleak But Witty Atmosphere
Despite its heavy subject matter, Pizza Girl maintains a streak of dark humour that keeps readers engaged. Multiple readers picked up on the script’s “bleak but witty” atmosphere, reminiscent of indie hits like Gummo and The Florida Project.
The montages depicting Pizza Girl’s monotonous routine were highlights, adding “nice cohesion” while avoiding clichés. Her inner emotional journey remains the driving force amidst the dreary visuals.
Final Slices
Not all readers connected with Pizza Girl’s slow-burn story, with some struggling to maintain interest until the impactful final act. The ambiguous, open-ended conclusion also proved divisive — a bold choice that some appreciated for its realism while others wanted more resolution.
Overall, Jean Kyoung Frazier’s voice as a writer shines through in this memorable, uncompromising character study. With its Blacklist pedigree and unique blend of pathos and comedy, Pizza Girl has all the ingredients to be the next great indie hit.
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