Ramona and Beezus

Beverly Cleary’s epic cycle of good-natured children’s novels centring on the adventures of pre-pubescent troublemaker Ramona Quimby finally makes it to the screen, 60 years after Cleary first put pen to paper. Updating beloved material can be problematic (see the recent ‘Marmaduke’), but director Elizabeth Allen and her screenwriters choose not to labour the point: Ramona (Joey King) hasn’t suddenly transformed into a cellphone-wielding Britney clone and while the plot was inspired by current events – Ramona’s dad (John Corbett) loses his job and the spectre of foreclosure looms – these elements are treated with an impressive lightness of touch. The key word is charm: King is effortless in the lead, the supporting cast is slightly bland but likeable and the script contains a few solid laughs, even for grown-ups. Add two stars if you’re a nine-year-old girl, subtract two if you’re a misanthropic old cynic.