This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Anna Kendrick has charmed her fans in films such as "Up in the Air," "Into the Woods" and "Pitch Perfect." In "Scrappy Little Nobody," Kendrick tells how she shaped her career by being irritatingly ordinary.
Her collection of essays portrays a young girl's road to success, as well as the personal anxieties that accompany a profession in film. Early in her career, one of her biggest headaches was her tiny stature, but she could work her size to her advantage by playing a wide age range of characters. As she got older, she learned to adopt the mantra that big things come in small packages. When Kendrick spoke her mind, people listened.
Kendrick also lets the reader peek into the more personal details of her life. This includes a coming-of-age checklist, an index of extremely detailed party themes she has yet to execute and a harrowing experience on a boat to Catalina. Her description of the emotions she felt during her grandmother's funeral can only be described as heartbreaking.
"Scappy Little Nobody" is a story about Kendrick's ability to embrace the pretend person she's playing in front of the camera, as well as the person she is in real life. Kendrick is practical and skeptical and more courageous than not. And she's secure enough to admit that what you see is what you get.
If you're looking for authentic and engaging under the umbrella of ridiculously entertaining, then Anna Kendrick is your answer. —
"Scrappy Little Nobody"
Anna Kendrick
Touchstone
Pages • 304
Cost • $26.99