DIRTY GIRL is Super Sweet

Over the weekend, I caught a new indie movie called DIRTY GIRL.  The title is somewhat misleading as this was the sweetest and most surprisingly indie I've seen in a while. Set in 1987 (OK--so I may be a little biased), it's about a slutty high school girl, played perfectly by Brit actress Juno Temple, who goes on a road trip to find her father.  Along for the ride is an overweight gay kid she is paired with in a health class, newcomer Jeremy Dozier.

The film truly feels like something from the late 80's with its spot-on soundtrack (four Melissa Manchester songs!) and hazy, pastel look (shot on real film, of course).  It's a bit ramshackle and thrown together but that's part of its charm, as well as featuring some winning performances from the two leads and a colorful cast of well-known supporting characters, like Mary Steenburgen, William H. Macy, Milla Jovovich and Dwight Yoakam.  I don't know why the film has gotten some less than shining critical notices as audiences seem to really be enjoying it...including me!  The film is a fun mix of sweetness and reality, magic and mayhem, with a few music videos thrown in too.

It's only playing in NYC right now but opening in other cities over the next few weeks. So if you'd like a fun alternative to the usual studio fare, this is a great movie to check out.  And a much more enjoyable movie than the other '80s retro film out there now, DRIVE (which I've previously blogged about). Go see DIRTY GIRL and support indie film!