About a Girl

I had to see this film twice to truly appreciate it. So many short films are BOOORIIING, and I guess I expected this one to be also, so maybe I was predjudiced. I paid little attention to what was being said so did not get into the film, but then suddenly I was hit by a real wake-up call at the end. SO, I went to see it again, and I have to say the performance and characterisation of the central character IS superb. The actress really makes this film a winner. The direction of her is very good, though I found the photography a little flat, but perhaps this is because it is meant to be gritty and realistic. Overall it's a wonderful short film, but it deals with a grim subject. Not a popcorn film.

As I was watching it, I kept thinking of the similarities to parts of The Fast Show (aka Brilliant! in the US): the "Brilliant!" walking monologues with Paul Whitehouse, and Caroline Aherne's teenage monologues.

But don't be fooled. There is much more to this short film than meets the eye at first, and you'll probably want to watch it again.

A film short that leaves a lasting impression. Initially about a teenage girl who narrates her story through what seems like a typically naive philosophy on life, still holding onto the dreams of childhood while experiencing the transition into the stark realisation of adulthood and the first understanding of disappointment. It manages to instill a feeling of charm and endearment while depicting the neo-realistic impressions of inner-city hardships. But gradually through the narrative we get a darker feeling that something is not as innocent as we think. The dénouement is profound and shocking, as unexpected as it is sad.

Like a good short story should be, this shows us enough of a window into a life that we come away knowing the young girl's life story, and we can hazard a guess as to her future. Hemingway's maxim that you only need show ten-percent of the whole story rings true. This film deserved to win awards; the direction and camera-work are superb, the script and acting extraordinarily good. Quite easily one of the best short films I've ever seen.

This is a film that really makes you think about our culture and our society today.

We learn about the life of the Girl as she talks about her hopes, dreams and experiences.

Nothing will prepare you for the very shocking ending. It really is like a slap in the face! Or a wake up call...

An excellent piece of writing, directing and acting.

Depicting the life of a young teenage girl in a wasteland-esque urban British estate. With towering blocks of flats looming over the setting and the disadvantaged, awful circumstances that encase the girl the twist and the execution is brilliant, a truly grim end it's a great commentary on a modern society and some of its less glamorous issues