this movie really defined an entire formative era of my life. I was an awkward frizzy-haired tween with glasses when this came out and I saw so much of myself in Mia. my best friend and I had the soundtrack basically memorized (Aaron Carter’s cover of Itty Bitty Little Pretty One lives rent free in my head, as does Miracles Happen by Myra). the love interest Michael (aka Robert Schartzman of Rooney fame) imprinted on my eros and continues to influence my type in masc women to this day. the movie also led me to the (superior if I’m being honest) book series, which played a HUGE role in shaping my taste and sense of humor and interest in pop culture references