Complex mother-daughter relationships wrapped up in a coming-of-age story are nothing new, but Shuchi Talati’s “Girls Will Be Girls” is a tale of sexual awakening and growing up that has a knowing streak of rebellious energy. Told from the perspectives of two different women, this film authentically captures the female experience and the complicated nuances of an evolving rapport between a daughter and her mother.
In a strict boarding school in India, 16-year-old Mira (Preeti Panigrahi) is the perfect student. She’s smart, obedient, and relishes her status as the head prefect, keeping her classmates in check. Things change when the handsome and charismatic Sri (Kesav Binoy Kiron) arrives, awakening a desire in Mira with which she’s unfamiliar. It also causes tension between the girl and her mother Anila (Kani Kusruti), who never really got to come of age herself.
Talati has a command of the page, writing strong characters that are fully developed and capturing the conflicting emotions that exemplify the harrowing path into adolescence. As the struggles (and jealousy) between Mira and Anila grow, it threatens their familial relationship and pushes the limits of trust and respect.
“Girls Will Be Girls” is the type of film that lends a strong voice to female sexuality and agency, and Talati’s authentic voice will make this feel highly relatable to most women. This is a different kind of, and highly welcome, cinematic coming-of-age story.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 