Girls Will Be Girls

The film’s poster shows the 16-year-old protagonist – the head of her class at school – using her own wrist to practice kissing her first boyfriend in the shower. Most of the film offers similarly subtle intentions and sensitive suggestions as it flows freely without any dramatic twists or tense situations. The story of young love emerging in a setting that is not very favourable for romantic relationships between students (a strict school and strict parents) stands out due to the sweetness of some of the moments when the young couple are getting to know each other and the funny moments in which the protagonists’ plans are spoiled by the girl’s attentive mother. The forbidden fruit has juice only when the characters risk revealing their secret amorous intentions – whenever they are truly alone, they paradoxically do not give vent to their desires with such intensity and suddenly behave more coldly and reservedly despite their more intimate experiences. It repeatedly seems that various twists are coming, but the plot doesn’t follow up on any of them in the end. Some films roll out a sweet, likable and lightweight plot and then wild waves begin to buffet the story. This one just harmlessly splashes around. (28/06/2024)