Lover Girl

I came across this title on cable one night and noticed that it was produced by Allison Anders, who directed a couple interesting movies in the early 90's, and featured Tara Subkoff from "All Over Me" and a really interesting supporting cast including Sandra Bernhart (in a rare film role), Susan Tyrell, Kristi Swanson, and Renee Humphrey. It isn't really a good movie--parts of it are rather implausible and the end is pretty disappointing--but it has a strange and interesting feel to it. It lacks the heightened drama and rigid three-act structure of a typical Hollywood movie. It's very subtle and surprisingly non-exploitative, especially considering it's sordid subject matter. Yet it isn't some arty,pretentious feminist claptrap either(like the overrated "Working Girls" a few years earlier). It seems to somehow be more "real" than your typical movie. It contains real characters (albeit in a pretty unusual situation) whose lives don't really seem to going anywhere in particular and whose problems you know are not going to be resolved after two hours. It kind of reminded me of "Ghost World" (the comic book more than the movie). It's probably not a real easy movie to find, but it's definitely worth finding.

I will admit that this movie managed to hold my attention in a way that many admittedly better movies have not. Reason? There just aren't that many hooker comedies that skirt the subject of sex the way this one does. That struck me as novel while I was watching it and made me think the filmmakers were attempting something more ambitious than the usual chortling over sex. Tara Subkoff is very watchable and likable as a gangly, awkward young prostie wannabe. She has the unique ability to project awkwardness, emotional need and immaturity, mix it up and have it come out something like bohemian cool. I got a lot of insight into a whole generation of disaffected youth watching this flick. Cool, indeed.

Easy to laugh and smile with the characters and at their antics. Real life interactions throughout this flick resulting in the viewer rooting and hoping for their success. Tara Subkoff's portrayal of a young teenager spot on. Kristy Swanson's personation of the heartlessness of mankind incredibly realistic. Kudo's for Sandra's Bernhard's depiction of a working girl's sense of right and wrong. Tim Griffin very convincing as a young man saddled with hormones, desire, awkwardness and white knight syndrome. Sadly, some sex, cussing present and no mention of the real Savior JESUS. One suspects this rendering of life in big city California not much different than life in many a city throughout the world and throughout time. Would watch it again.

Fresh talent Tara Subkoff, who was excellent in the little seen teen angst drama "All Over Me," stars as Jake, a teen girl whose sister (Kristy Swanson) refuses to let her stay with her. So Jake meets Sandra Bernhard, a masseuse/whore who takes her under her wing. Jake then becomes interested in the job, so she also joins, against Bernhard's will. The plot makes this seem like a dark, gritty drama, sort of like the massage parlor "Whore," but "Lover Girl" is really light and quirky, and not very funny or dramatic.

Besides to see Subkoff, there is no reason to check out "Lover Girl". 2 STaRs OuT oF FoUR.

Considering the controversial subject matter, this movie is a little too light to tackle these issues efficiently.

Nevertheless, the performances are good and it never gets too boring, but with a bit more work (and courage) at the screenplay level this could've been something more.

Oh well. 5/10