‘Sierra Burgess is a Loser’ exhibits disappointing protagonist

One thing became clear to Netflix following the release of  “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” the internet had a growing fan base for “The Fosters” star Noah Centineo. Luckily, another film starring him dropped Sept. 7 that fans were buzzing in anticipation for.

However, following its release, the online discussion “Sierra Burgess is a Loser” received didn’t match up to the hopes Netflix had.

The viewers who chose to express their thoughts online focused on the overwhelming problems the film had, rather than the good aspects.

“Sierra Burgess is a Loser” follows the same formula for something of its nature in which a girl and a boy meet, fall for one another, there’s a conflict (or, rather, many) and it all has a happy ending.

This plotline, however, becomes easily ignored when viewing the film, and watching everything it was promised to be fade away.

Even the best parts of this movie are thrown into the shadows. Veronica (Kristine Froseth) goes through a meaningful change for the better, Dan (RJ Cyler) is genuinely funny and relatable, and Jamey (Noah Centineo) is the type of character he plays best: the sweet and goofy guy teen girls across the country wish they knew.

Sierra (Shannon Purser), however, with the least amount of character development under her belt, soaks up most of the screen time.

Though, it important to note that the issues in “Sierra Burgess is a Loser” are not the fault of the actors, who did the best with what they were given.

“Sierra Burgess is a Loser” suffered most through the content these actors brought to life.

Promoted as a quirky movie about getting the guy with a little help from friends, all this movie turned out being was an hour and forty-five minutes of glorifying hurting others if it makes you feel better.

From catfishing to lying about having a disability, to kissing without consent, this movie promotes activities to its audience that is not only morally corrupt but in any real-life scenario would condone shunning.

But that is just it: it isn’t a real-life scenario. It is so unrealistic it becomes a problem.

Sierra is portrayed as an insecure young woman that resonates well with teen girls facing the same problems.

However, when things don’t go her way, Sierra hurts others to make them pay for what they did and in the end receives no real consequences for her actions.

These previously mentioned teen girls are going to see that, and possibly think it’s okay to do the same.

Veronica, the mean-girl-turned-good, describes Sierra best when she blatantly says, “Your looks are the least ugly thing about you.”

Sierra is ugly on the inside because she feels that way on the outside and only feels bad for what she’s done when others react negatively towards her.

Rather than making the effort to change and make up for her mistakes, she writes a song about her feelings, everyone–including the audience—is supposed to feel bad for her.

So, yeah. The film’s title was accurate.

Sierra Burgess is a loser, and it is a shame she had to drag so many good and fun characters with her in her downward spiral.

2 out of 5 stars (2 / 5)