Anna Kendrick is one of those people who I probably like more for their real world personality (Instagram and Twitter) than her body of work. I enjoyed the first Pitch Perfect but was disappointed by the sequel and my husband will never forgive me for dragging him to see Into the Woods. I’ve only soberly seen the first Twilight (although I believe I’ve been in a room showing the next two in the series) but I remember being pleasantly surprised by her performance in Up in the Air since she was so young and seemingly came from no where. Of course, no one ever truly comes from no where.
I was a “theater kid” in middle school and high school as well. Community theater attracts a particular personality type so it’s probably why I feel a kinship with Kendrick and appreciated the early parts of her memoir the most. Without trying too hard (although she did seek out an agent) Anna managed to co-star in a Broadway production of High Society as a preteen. Despite early success she managed to have a somewhat normal childhood and then bounced around in Hollywood before Twilight. She is grateful for the financial security Twilight provided her because it gave her the freedom to do the independent films that she loves.
Let’s agree now that we’re just having a conversation and I happen to talk more than I listen (true in real life as well).
She shares some funny anecdotes, her ineptitude with the opposite sex is particularly hilarious, and makes you wish you were friends. She does have a conversational writing style that is engaging although it probably doesn’t hurt to be an existing fan.