'Beautiful Girls'

Just watched the film 'Beautiful Girls'. It's good. Very good. Very wordy, but it has a... 'Vibe' about it. Hard to describe, but it just captures a feeling.

And that's what I like in a film - It's all about the feeling. If it doesn't make you feel, for the story, for the characters, for something, then there isn't much point.

Story can basically be summed up as - Willie returns to hometown to find friends still there and nothing's changed. Except their age.

Natalie Portman was a bit showy and I did, at one point, think "She's the most ridiculously over-intelligent 13 year old in the world"... Until I remembered my favourite film is 'Leon' and in that she plays a ridiculouly over-intelligent 12 year old, so... I'll let it slide. But, BUT, the relationship between her and Timothy Hutton is spot on. Plus there's that idea - That there's someone perfect for you, the idea that 'the one' exists, but you can't ever be with them - And it usually ends with some conflict... before its resolved and everyone lives happily ever after. In this film, it's different. There were 2 potential relationships, or rather 2 potential people, who were perfect for Willie, Hutton's character. First, there's Natalie Portmans' ridiculously over-intelligent 13 year old 'Marty'.

Now, you know this relationship is never going to go anywhere. It can't. She's 13, he's 29. But they seem so right for each other. As she's says in the film "I'm 13 but i'm an old soul". She's wonderful. Maybe the child version of the character she plays in 'Garden State'. Willie and Marty speak to each other unlike any adult and child. They're both funny. They both laugh. They both have moments of concern. He when he realises she might not be joking when she suggests he wait 5 years so they can be together. She when he explains its not possible because she's not the person she will be at 18, and she'll change and want something different.

The other is, the rather brief, Uma Thurman. Not a major part, but a key one. An outsider in this town where no-one, except Willie, seems to have ever left. It's sorta hinted she might be the one Willie leaves his intended for. But she's more just a temptation. A suggestion of something different. Plus she's got a boyfriend.

The ever-likeable Michael Rapaport is going through a tough break-up after 7 years. Matt Dillon is the one time (probable) Prom King, and coolest guy at High School, who hasn't amounted to what he though. Lauren Holly is the one time (probable) Prom Queen, who isn't who she thought she was. And is having an affair with Dillion.

Through in a few more friends, all dealing with the difficulties of growing up and approaching 30, and you've got a darn good film. Realising that, now, they're are adults and that this is what there life is, for better or for worse, and that there's no more waiting to see how things turn out.

For me, its about accepting what you've got and that, while it might not be what you dreamt it would be, what you've got is actually better then you realised.

Hmm, that last sentence sounds almost cheesily poignant.

8/10, though I'm certain over time, with repeated watchings, that will improve.

Done and dusted.
Liam