In the Summer of 1972, 11-Year Old Vada (played by Anna Chlumsky) lives in a funeral parlour with her father (played by Dan Aykroyd) who works as an undertaker in a small town of Pennsylvania. Her mother died when she gave birth to her. Then Shelly De Voto (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) comes along and soon she and Vada's father are having a relationship.But the only person in Vada's life is her best friend Thomas J. (played by Macaulay Culkin), and they have many summer adventures together.

I found about this movie from watchmojo.com's YouTube videos. It might be the first time I watched a movie without looking up for it over IMDb. But I am glad because after seeing the rating of only 6.8, I might not watched it as usually movies below 7 are not worth watching (I have tried before).This is one of the few movies which take your emotions through a roller coaster ride. It makes us smile in the beginning and also reminds us of our own childhood. The curiosity of kids about everything. Having a best friend with whom you spend your days and share a special bond. Similar bond is depicted in the movie between Vada and Thomas J. The background music, cinematography and acting done by even the kids make this movie a great family movie. But doesn't matter how strong you are, the end will make you cry! So, keep some tissues with you. Overall I think it was one of the best family drama movie I have ever watched. I think it deserves a much better rating.

My Girl (1991) *** (out of 4) Tender coming of age story about eleven-year-old Vada (Anna Chlumsky) who is trying to come to terms with herself while also dealing with her dad (Dan Aykroyd) dating for the first time after the death of her mother. She's also dealing with that girlfriend (Jamie Lee Curtis) as well as her best friend (Macaulay Culkin).MY GIRL is one of the better coming of age films that were released around this era. The film benefits greatly due to the terrific cast as well as a wonderful soundtrack that captures all sorts of oldies and they really bring the story to life. It's hard to believe that the film is now twenty-five years old but it's certainly stood the test of time and remains a charming, touching and funny film.The best thing going for the film are its performances by the great cast. Both Aykroyd and Curtis are extremely effective in their roles and I especially liked Aykroyd and the way he was beginning to play dramatic roles. I thought he was very believable in the role of the father who isn't quite sure how to relate to a daughter. Culkin also deserves a lot of credit for breaking away from the HOME ALONE image and doing a supporting part. Chlumsky is pitch perfect in the role of Vada as she mixes a certain warmth and charm that is hard to beat. Even Griffin Dunne and Richard Masur are good in their supporting bits.Director Howard Zieff certainly does a very good job at re-creating the early 70s. The film has an atmosphere all its own and I think the tender moments of being 11 are captured throughout the picture. There's a lot of great comedy here but also some rather sad drama but in the end the film really delivers on all levels.

My Girl takes place at a small town funeral home in 1972, following the strange, adventurous and tragic summer of a little girl named Vada who acts like a Harold & Maude extra; she's obsessed with death and dying and is a hypochondriac as well, making her appear very strange to other kids in town. Her only friend is a nerdy but kind boy her age named Thomas J. who is "allergic to everything". Vada truly cares about him but has trouble expressing her friendship; often she pushes him around but for most of the summer the two are inseparable. Her father,meanwhile, hires a makeup artist for the bodies at the funeral home, Shelly, who Vada becomes close to until Shelly and Vada's dad start dating. A tragedy happened after Vada was born when her mom died after birthing her, so Vada naturally feels guilty about that. Her confusion about all that, plus a crush she's developed on a teacher, are driving her crazy, but on the bright side she still has Thomas J. for support as well as a pet goldfish from the local carnival... but when something horrible happens, Vada realizes for the first time how valuable friendship is and how life is a gift, and it makes her a more mature person.My Girl is nostalgic, funny, sad, hopeful and entertaining all at once, with great soundtrack and acting. Macaulay Culkin often plays outgoing, annoying roles (Home Alone, The Good Son), so it's amazing how he can go from the role of spoiled bratty kids to soft-spoken, shy Thomas J. just like that. Jamie Lee Curtis (from the 1980 Canadian horror film Prom Night), was really good as well. Vada's character was a little annoying at first but as the movie progresses she changes. Along with the soundtrack are also some popular 60's and 70's hits, including "My Girl" by The Temptations, where this movie got its name.This movie is incredibly sad and has a looming theme of death, but at the same time it's a wonderful story about growing up, the meaning of friendship, the meaning of life and the nostalgia of the 1970's. It's definitely worth checking out, but avoid the sequel because the sequel wasn't very good at all.