Grown Up Movie Star (2009)
A raw Canadian coming-of-age drama about a girl forced to grow up too fast after her mother abandons the family for Hollywood.
Grown Up Movie Star - Movie Information
- Release Year: 2009
- Directed by: Adriana Maggs
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 20, 2009 (United States)
- Production Companies: Pope Productions, Odd Sock Films
- Production Countries: Canada
Grown Up Movie Star - Plot
The story of Ruby, 13, determined to grow up fast after her mother runs away to become a movie star, leaving Ruby with her hopelessly rural father.
Grown Up Movie Star - Trailer
See the official trailer for this acclaimed Canadian drama:
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Grown Up Movie Star - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Adriana Maggs
Main Cast
- Shawn Doyle
- Tatiana Maslany
- Julia Kennedy
- Mark O'Brien
- Steve Cochrane
- Maggie Meyer
- Mary Lewis
- Sherry White
- Andy Jones
- Jonny Harris
Writers
- Adriana Maggs
Producers
- Adriana Maggs
- Shawn Doyle
- Paul Pope
- Jill Knox-Gosse
Grown Up Movie Star - FAQs
What is Grown Up Movie Star about?
Grown Up Movie Star follows Ruby, a fiercely determined 13-year-old in rural Newfoundland, after her mother abandons the family to chase Hollywood dreams. Left with her struggling father Ray, Ruby navigates adolescence, identity, and the painful gap between the childhood she's losing and the adulthood she's desperately chasing.
Is Grown Up Movie Star based on a true story?
Grown Up Movie Star is an original screenplay written by director Adriana Maggs. While not based on specific real events, the film draws on deeply personal and culturally grounded themes rooted in Newfoundland life, giving it a raw, authentic feel that resonates as emotionally true even if it's fictional.
Where can you watch Grown Up Movie Star?
Streaming availability for Grown Up Movie Star varies by region and platform. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which tracks current streaming, rental, and purchase options across all major platforms in your area, so you can find the most up-to-date viewing options quickly.
What makes Ruby's character so compelling in this film?
Ruby is one of those rare screen teenagers who feels genuinely real. Played by Tatiana Maslany in a breakout performance, she's simultaneously vulnerable and fierce, funny and heartbreaking. Her determination to grow up fast masks deep wounds from her mother's abandonment, and Maslany captures every contradiction with remarkable precision.
Who are the main actors in Grown Up Movie Star?
The film stars Tatiana Maslany as Ruby and Shawn Doyle as her father Ray, with Julia Kennedy as Rose and Mark O'Brien as Will rounding out the core cast. Maslany's performance in particular earned widespread praise and helped launch her career well before Orphan Black made her a household name.
How does the Newfoundland setting shape the story?
Newfoundland is practically a character in itself here. The film's rural, isolated landscape mirrors Ruby's emotional world — vast, beautiful, and a little cut off from everything she desperately wants. Director Adriana Maggs uses the setting to ground the story in a specific cultural identity that feels both local and universally relatable.
Did Grown Up Movie Star win any awards?
Yes — the film made a strong impression on the festival circuit. Tatiana Maslany won the Best Performance Award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2010, a recognition that put both her and the film on the map internationally. It's widely considered one of the standout Canadian indie films of its era.
Is Grown Up Movie Star worth watching?
Absolutely. It's a quiet, deeply felt coming-of-age drama anchored by a stunning early performance from Tatiana Maslany. If you appreciate character-driven indie films with emotional honesty and a strong sense of place, Grown Up Movie Star delivers something genuinely moving and memorable without ever feeling manipulative.
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