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Movie review: 'Unicorn Store' is quirky, imaginative, whimsical take on challenges of adulthood

The film starring Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson, and Mamoudou Athie tells the story of a colorful artist struggling to adjust to her new normal after failing art school.
Credit: Netflix

WASHINGTON -- "Unicorn Store" is a film directed by Brie Larson that premiered during the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. It was recently acquired and distributed by Netflix. The film stars Larson as Kit, an aspiring artist who has recently moved back home with her parents and Samuel L. Jackson as The Salesman, a mysterious man who helps Kit on her journey of self-discovery.

In a black and white world, Kit is a grown woman full of child-like wonder and vision though her creative personality is misunderstood, especially by her parents. Her struggle to conform to preconceived notions of “adulthood” is presented in a comedic way, though I think some millennials may find her experience harshly familiar.

Early on, she sheds her colorful exterior in an attempt to conform to her idea of what an adult should be. She tries to copy others - the way they look, talk, and interact with each other because she really doesn't know how to fit in with grown-ups. Along comes The Salesman, who tells her that he can provide her with her childhood dream – a real unicorn.

The process of preparing for her unicorn is a transformative experience and the focus of the film. Kit learns some hard lessons about herself and ultimately discovers her own version of adulthood. In her quest to become a fully-fledged adult, Kit realizes that her failures and all the challenges she has faced along the way have led her into a new, colorful, wonderful sort of adulthood.

The movie is delightfully refreshing. It doesn't take itself too seriously, though it touches on serious anxieties that young viewers may identify with. It's easy to get wrapped up in "the whole magical rainbowness of it all" but the core lesson is even more powerful: "The most grownup thing you can do is fail at things you really care about."

Larson does a wonderful job in her directorial debut by wrapping up a serious coming-of-age story in an imaginative, whimsical -- and at times absurd -- rainbow gift-wrap.

I give this film an 8/10 and highly recommend it. The film is available now on Netflix. 

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