Ann P. Cahouet

"Geek Girl" is a love letter to anybody who has felt awkward, lonely in a crowd, or has been mocked for being different. Every episode has heart. Emily Carey portrays Harriet Manners' geekiness without being glib or condescending. That's impressive enough, but Emily also portrays a character who is entirely believable as a model whose uniqueness catches the attention of the modeling industry and the general public. But the performance that astonished me was delivered by Liam Woodrum as Harriet's super-model love interest, Nick Park. This is Liam's second movie role, and as he told an interviewer, he was so nervous on the first day of shooting that his lips were trembling and he kept blowing takes. Liam said Emmanuel ("Manny") Imani, who played Wilbur, took Liam aside that first day and reminded Liam to have fun. Liam took Manny's advice and delivered a pitch-perfect performance. Liam's Nick is a person of integrity -- kind, tactful, empathetic, and well mannered, and he accepts Harriet for herself. We know all that. But in Liam's hands, Nick is also intelligent, lonely, and a bit of a geek himself. Liam shows us a complete person as he reveals the seriousness and vulnerability behind the super-model persona. And Liam manages to do this at the beginning of his film career with subtlety, honesty, and imagination and without resorting to scenery chewing or long speeches. Liam is a talent. I look forward to seeing what he does next.