Some coming-of-age movies suggest that the school cafeteria determines your entire personality. Popular kids face one set of problems, while quieter kids face another, and everyone seems to wait for the screenplay to teach them a lesson. However, “Mouse” gives its teenagers more credit, emphasizing that friendship rarely follows those simplistic categories.
Set in Arkansas in 2002, directors Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson follow Minnie (Katherine Kupferer) and Callie (Chloe Coleman) during the summer before their senior year. With a role by Michelle Branch, the characters see their futures within reach, and ordinary afternoons take on a significance only teenagers can truly appreciate.
Callie comes from a comfortable household and has aspirations to attend Juilliard. In contrast, Minnie lives with her single mother, Barbara (Tara Mallen), alongside foster dogs and a foster baby. Although their social standing differs, O’Sullivan’s screenplay never reduces their friendship to a simple dynamic of popularity versus insecurity.
Having just watched my son turn 18 and start college, I find that seeing these characters on the brink of adulthood resonates deeply with me. You spend years preparing your child for independence, and then suddenly, the next chapter unfolds. Their world expands as you adjust to no longer having a front-row seat.
Coleman’s growth adds another layer to the film. Nearly a decade after “Big Little Lies” introduced her to many viewers, she is seamlessly transitioning into more mature roles. This progression reflects emotional responsibility and character depth, reminding us that growing up on screen does not require deliberately provocative themes.
A tragic car accident interrupts the girls’ world, steering the film toward themes of grief while still retaining its humor and the absurdity of everyday life. The film’s observations about public mourning feel especially relatable, as we have all witnessed someone turning a tragedy into a performance for the role of chief mourner. “Mouse” recognizes this tendency but also understands that clumsy, attention-seeking behavior does not invalidate someone else’s pain
David Hyde Pierce brings a welcome perspective as theater teacher Mr. Murdaugh, while Sophie Okonedo provides emotional depth as Callie’s mother. Iman Vellani adds warmth as Kat, the video store employee who catches Minnie’s attention
Kupferer effectively holds these relationships together, conveying Minnie’s uncertainty even as life begins to offer new possibilities. The ensemble cast gives depth to the surrounding characters, making their lives feel significant beyond their immediate roles in Minnie’s story.
What stands out most is the film’s willingness to allow grief and joy to coexist. A crush can still make you anxious, and a well-timed joke can still resonate. Anticipating something does not erase the memory of those you miss.
“Mouse” grants its young characters the freedom to keep evolving, even when moving forward feels unfair.
Final Grade: B+
“Mouse” opens in limited release today.
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