Girl (1998) User Reviews (100)

Comic but stereotyped teen-movie.

[melbow · 6/10 · 30 April 1999]

Based on Blake Nelson's popular novel - Girl offers a traditional cut-and-dried teen-story. Far from excellent, witty Clueless or TV-Series Dawson's Creek.

Andrea Marr (Dominique Swain) lays eyes on Todd (Sean Patrick Flanery) a local rock guru and begins to rebel by going to clubs and becoming a groupie.

Irrespective of the inspiring original, the plot feels jerky and Andrea's character lacks in substance. Girl slips in authenticity but somehow captures some of the disillusionment and confusion of being a teenager in today's society.

After all, both Dominique Swain and Sean Patrick Flanery (Young Indiana Jones!!) are talented and captivating actors and make Girl worth seeing.

The main characters couldn't evolve well.

[LGraves0422 · 6/10 · 22 August 2005]

This movie isn't really accurate. At first Todd Sparrow seemed so out reach and way too cool for Andrea Marr. During multiple parts of the movie it made me uncomfortable for Andrea because of how awkward she was. But then at the end, Todd said that he couldn't be without her. Sean Patrick Flannery didn't pull this part off very well. He started off as the tough out of reach guy, but the movie tried to evolve his character. Flannery couldn't portray the needy and in love guy. Dominique Swain started as being the shy girl. When she tried to evolve into being the "cool girl", I didn't buy it. Swain sucked at being the strong one to get up and leave. If you watch it with low expectations, you won't be disappointed.

Not bad

[Chris-195 · 6/10 · 21 April 2003]

While the movie has some gaping holes -- I don't buy the Todd Sparrow character for a minute -- it's actually a decent film that I found myself enjoying more than I thought I would. I rented it mainly for Dominique Swain, who I think is underrated, but found myself engaged in the film. The most surprising thing -- who knew Tara Reid could actually act? And what happened? I'm not saying she's Meryl Streep in this, but really, I'd never have guessed she was capable of playing more than the blonde bimbo she's been doing since American Pie.

Even though everyone says the book is better...

[LickMyNipples · 17 July 2002]

I read the book after I saw the movie, and the book to me was less real. I thought that Andrea and her overthought, psuedo-angsty voice-overs were what made her real. She was a little rich girl who essentially knew that she wanted for nothing, yet she's searching to fill a hole that she knows isn't really there. Complete with bad poetry-like flowery language and long sighs and large gestures, I thought that Andrea in the movie was real, and Andrea in the book was flat, uninspired. I didn't even hate Todd Sparrow, as has been mentioned by other viewers. I thought that the whole movie was about stupid little people doing stupid little things and learning from them, like how it really happens. I didn't think girl was oscar material, by any means, but I think that there will be a character that everyone will see a bit of themselves in.

Good lead performance

[fuldamobil · 7/10 · 6 January 2001]

They don't make enough authentic films about teenage girls, and this is definately not the one you're waiting for. Hopefully the upcoming GHOST WORLD will do the subject justice, but GIRL isn't all that bad. The writing suffers, the narration can be especially corny, but Dominique Swain shines in the lead role, even if the directing seems amateurish. This is an o.k. effort at portraying modern young women that I'm sure many high-schoolers will relate to.

Not the WORST movie I've ever seen...

[cranberry_knickers · 4/10 · 2 January 2010]

I read the book Girl (and loved it) before I saw this movie, so when I rented it I already knew that there would be certain things about it that would bug me. But I don't understand how anyone could like this movie, regardless of how much they disregarded the plot line and everything the book was about.

I definitely understand how it would be difficult to turn this book into a movie, as it goes from the beginning of Andreas sophomore year to the end of her senior year, and there really isn't a set plot line. It's simply about her life, and how she grows and changes just as everybody does in the real world.

The movie starts out with her in her senior year, and the main character Andrea is really nothing like she is in the book. She's just... annoying.

Todd Sparrow seemed kind of old, and I couldn't really find much charm in him. Their relationship with formula and not very interesting.

Also, when you see this movie Andrea constantly talks about groupies, and how she never understood them, but then she became one and how great it was. Like, how it was some huge step in her life, becoming the groupie of this guy in some band who wasn't even that interesting.

I never thought that being a groupie was some great, liberating thing. I'm not dissing groupies or anything, but the way Andrea goes on about it is a little weird. She just seems kind of slutty and clingy in this movie, and, well, it's a bit difficult to watch.

There are many things I could say about this formulated, clichéd, so-so acted and so-bad-its-kind-of-funny movie, but I guess I'll leave it up for the viewer to decide.

Movie Stands On It's Own Just Fine

[drivemenutzlong · 7/10 · 3 April 2020]

I didn't read the book & didn't walk in with preconceived notions. Basically a coming of age film about a girl attracted to a fledgling rock star and she falls into the "groupie" mindset & lifestyle for a bit. Nothing epic but everyone plays their part well & it's an entertaining movie.

A poor excuse for a film adaptation....

[laura-339 · 3/10 · 26 March 2005]

Do yourself a favor and read the book before you try to watch this movie. After watching it I felt like they tried to turn this incredible and moving work of fiction into an episode of My So-Called Life. The book this screenplay is loosely based on is so much more powerful than this bland film version. The main character was heinously miscast, she brings no depth to the role whatsoever. You end up being annoyed by her, instead of identifying with her in any meaningful way. And you never find out enough about the supporting cast to understand what's going on with them. In my opinion the entire point of the novel was completely missed. I was terribly disappointed.

Surprisingly good movie

[stniehaus · 8/10 · 25 April 2022]

It's not a classic by any means, but it's a decent coming of age story about a young girl, with evolution and maturity. Lot of actors in here that went on to bigger things. Dominique Swain in the 90s was a precious wonder. You either knew about her or you didn't, and if you did, you've already seen this movie, like I have. She made the movie good. She has a quality about her that even when she's playing a naive dorky girl, you identify with her. She has presence even though she's not the best actress. She's watchable. The movie runs into teen clichés but it's still a good watch.

A really stupid movie

[chocokitty11 · 2/10 · 23 January 2011]

First off,I have to say that i enjoyed the book. This however, is trash. The acting was so bad it was painful to watch. Dominique Swain's performance was terrible. It was like watching a middle school play. The reaction when Darcy said she was raped and Matt commits suicide was just completely wrong. Not only that, but the soundtrack was awful. It sounded like really watered down grunge. The only good song was one that Cybil sings. Surprisingly, I thought that Tara Reid as Cybil was really interesting. However, because of the script, not even an Oscar worthy performance could save this movie. In conclusion, this movie is garbage, but it was a lot of fun for my sister and I to make fun of.

Dominique Swain stands way out above all others in this one!

[pgardner · 10/10 · 14 April 2000]

What an extremely well-acted, realistic, coming-of-age-grunge movie! Dominique Swain has definitely shown herself to be quite a unique talent. First LOLITA, and now GIRL. This is a definite MUST-SEE by males and females alike.

Read the book because the movie is junk

[tink-1 · 4/10 · 29 February 2004]

This movie was a true heartache of a film. Girl, originally a novel by Blake Nelson, was the story of a highschool girl who discovers sex and the local music scene. Both enrich her life and make her feel differently in relationships with other people. It was a well written, subtle but powerful book that affected the lives of many young women. Sadly, the movie is studio junk.

The director and screenwriter chose instead to turn this into a movie about hot highschoolers going at it and acting like groupies. Each character has been flattened out to a cutesy stereotype. For example, Tara Reid was chosen to play Cybil, who in the book is a lesbian rocker and very withdrawn. The movie really has no plot, other than Andrea chasing around Todd as if she is an NSync groupie. I felt like I watched a two hour commercial for noxema or saw a 17 magazine come to life as a movie.

If you want to watch a goofy film about over sexed teenagers, rent this movie. If you want something th more heart, read the book. Or better yet, rent Blue Car or Thirteen.

Threeway

[tedg · 10 July 2005]

The setup is all too familiar: we have a girl who wonders about life. She has sex, is disappointed in love (always mildly by our measures) and thus "grows up."

Its a persistent fiction that is glued into filmdom and god knows how many lives it has bent.

But as these go, this one isn't as tendentious as the others. I think that's because of the triple narrative structure.

The main narrative is the girl (here Dominique Swain fresh from "Lolita"), who tells us what is going on in her mind. Thhings like "I wish I could grow up." Sometimes her narration is her thoughts in the story rather than over it, such as when she says something polite but is thinking something rude.

The second narrative is the story we see of course. Naturally, all the sex is akin to dreamy cuddling.

The third narrative is embedded in the story, the narrative of incisive rock songs. Indeed, they are rock songs about the very stuff of the story and inspired by the story itself. The three are woven together, each commenting on the other.

Few young viewers will notice, but this is pretty sophisticated storytelling. Even though every thing in it is empty and borrowed, the whole seems much fresher.

Ted's Evaluation -- 2 of 3: Has some interesting elements.

Mmm, it's simply OK.

[Jillian-9 · 4/10 · 12 September 2001]

I was not impressed by Dominique Swain's acting, but I think it's lack of experience. She could be great someday. I thought the movie itself was rather boring. I'm sure many teens could relate to the characters, but it didn't have enough depth or substance to keep me glued to the television. I gave the film a 4/10.

disappointment and let-down

[gkjohnson · 2/10 · 10 March 2001]

Great book, movie sucked - a common theme for paper to film transitions, but this time I don't care. I *hated* this movie. Dumbed-down plot, dumbed-down emotions, cartoon characters. I've nothing against Dominique Swain - she was brilliant in Lolita (really, I mean that) - but I expected so much more from her in Girl. I think the sucking factor had to do with faulty direction - the film never really decided if it wanted to be coming-of-age story, tongue-in-cheek teen comedy, or Portland scenester bio. It never achieved any coherence, and whatever sincerity we had in Andrea seemed, at the end, forced and trite. I did like seeing (and his name escapes me) the actor who plays Francis from Malcolm in the Middle in a small role. Last and largest complaint: I wish the film had had a bigger budget so that it could've actually been filmed in Portland!

This is a great movie!

[jiggachrista · 10/10 · 10 July 2002]

Girl is probably one of my favorite movies of all time. It's a movie that everyone can relate to, and Dominique does a great job. I could watch Girl 300 times and still want to watch it again! Maybe I just love this movie, because I see myself in it.

the worst movie of all time

[Hartluv3 · 1/10 · 24 March 2002]

I had lowly expectations from the start, but this film actually went below and beyond all hopes of a mediocrity. While the movie has many well-known actors, the plot is a superficial hodge-podge of unappealing sexual encounters and gospels on the effects of teen suicide, lesbianism, and eating disorders. Even with those subjects it managed to lack any sense of sex appeal or entertainment.

its life

[emmpathy-1 · 9/10 · 11 November 2008]

When this movie showed in Australia, I automatically fell in love. I loved the fact that the characters weren't over-scripted. made it seem more real. I liked that it seemed so low budget, and mostly I liked how it mirrored real life....well a life i was familiar with. maybe for some people this is a tired old story, girl gets smitten by a guy, yada yada....she has friends that seem to harbor some resentment, that seem to want more and that seem to have an opinion about everything, but thats life. What really tweaked my interest though was the leads seeming awkwardness in her role. it was like she felt like she was pretending to be a 17 year old, awkward in her own skin..... and that felt familiar. I wouldn't recommend this to people who are looking for some amazing scripted masterpiece fresh from Cannes...

Watch My So-Called Life instead.

[carmelina414605 · 3/10 · 6 June 2006]

For those who live in a hole, or block out American pop culture, this movie is FAR too similar to "My So-Called Life" or maybe its just me. I mean, first off, the story is about a girl who is jaded by her boring, wholesome life and trades it in for something edgier. While the focus for "Girl" is Andrea's fascination with local rock star Tom Sparrow, MSCL's protagonist's object of obsession is a local stoner legend. After that, the similarities continue. First of all, the protagonist for Girl is a straight-A student named Andrea while the protagonist for MSCL is a popular, studious girl named Angela. They both have page-boy cuts with red hair. They both have middle America families. They both live in suburbia. They both have brunette, clean cut best friends who they trade in for their new edgier crowd. They both have cute, clean cut boys who adore them. They both have a new, totally f-ed up best friend who unintentionally try to bring their life down with them... and to be continued. Once you get passed the obvious similarities which makes this movie quite boring, you have to tackle the lack-luster performances from several of the main characters. For time's sake, I'll just focus on that of Dominique Swain who's performance confused me. I didn't understand her as a mature 18 year old entering a woman's world. I saw her as 14-15 year old child who knows nothing about life. Andrea didn't seem to have the basic knowledge of an 18 year old (which she was supposed to be). When I saw the end, I thought the movie took place over her entire high school career, and was utterly surprised that it was just one year. And at times, she seemed to be even younger... 5 perhaps. I know that that time of a girl's life is supposed to be about exploration and such, but to skip out on 3 to ten year's of one's life is quite unexplainable. This movie is boring, and done. If you want a better look at teenage angst and growth into maturity, may I suggest My So-Called Life.

just plain stupid

[JennyGump · 16 April 2004]

I watched this movie thinking "hey, there are some good actors in this, so it might be good". yeah right, i was totally wrong about that. This movie is about a teenaged girl who really, really, wants to have sex. She thinks that having sex will make her a woman. What she really wants is to have sex with a guy in a band who she idolizes and she just happens to know his sister. She can't really have him so she just loses her virginity to a guy who she deems as being "ugly" and "disgusting" yet, the actor playing him is pretty goodlooking and the guy is pretty nice to her. oh yeah, it gets worse. After this, she finally gets to have sex with the guy in the band, and so she becomes his groupie. Going around with him on his tour and having sex with him whenever possible including in a barn. After all this, she realizes that she didn't need to have sex to be a woman (duh!). The most annoying part is at the end when one of her friends says to her "You are so strong, I wish I could be more like you". what? so during this movie, we were actually supposed to like the main character? She is a doofus. Really, this movie is just a glorified, and more dramatic version of Ammerican Pie. It's all about sex, sex, and sex except the main character isnt as likeable.

So maybe I'm too depressed but...

[devilsmercy03 · 2/10 · 20 December 2005]

the outcome of happiness in this movie really didn't do it for me. The film tried to be a teen movie that deals with issues that a teenager will face in high school. But, the reality, is that this movie says: you're friend might commit suicide, or have massive sexual escapades, but in the end it will all be alright, which is not true. Not only did bad acting bad, but the story lacked in substance as well. I mean, it had potential. If they would had focused on a little more on her relationship with her parents on the subject of her virginity, I would spare the film, but they don't. I might be too realistic, but, no good father (which is what the film set up) would allow his daughter to just go out every night to sleep with some guy she has a crush on, and the fact that he did nothing when he knew was a major point of stupidity on the film-maker's part. But as I said before, the fact that everyone in the movie "needed" the main character so much killed me. Her drugy lesbian friend, Tara Reid (still half true), really made me mad for some reason, oh, now I remember it was that little make out session. Wow. How utterly stupid.

If you want a 90's movie, watch anything else. This is trash.

[underavioletmoon · 2/10 · 17 April 2021]

The script is very weak, 90's TV movie levels, acting is poor, drama is not there, even the music is unconvincing, there are no redeeming qualities whatsoever.

If you want some 90's nostalgia, almost any teenage movie is better than this one, which lacks a point or a real story. The main story feels like a subplot that was stretched to 1 hour 40 minutes.

There's nothing for anyone here. Don't even bother reading more reviews. Close the tab and move on.

GIRL, is a fairly accurate portrayal of teen life

[Vipo · 9/10 · 7 October 1999]

After staying up until 3 AM to watch GIRL, it turned out to be better than I would have thought. For those of you who say this movie is corny or unrealistic, you must not remember high school very well.

Even with its sometimes cheesey dialogue, it fits because teens do not always speak in a perfect manner, and most times their dialogue is cheesy. I can say that in my high school years I knew someone like everyone of these characters, and even found myself remembering the same thoughts going through my head, that were told in Andrea's (Dominque Swain) head.

Even someone like Todd Sparrows exists. He's that guy who graduated two years before you, but still hangs around the school hang, pretending to play his guitar. Simply because he doesn't want to grow up and face life. And don't tell me you never met anyone like that.

With the recent rash of teen flicks, I can say GIRL is the one that is closest to real teen life, that I've seen in a long time

Perhaps the lamest teen-slut movie ever to be seen

[stellan_ · 1/10 · 28 December 2000]

Ok, this movie was probably the worst film i've ever seen from 1999. it is basicly about a slutty teengirl, yearning to get layed with a famous rockstar.

i don't think i would need to add anything to that, either you love it or hate it. i think this movie is mostly favored by teens and younger. i do not recommend it to anyone above 18 years. unless you want to see Dominique Swain doing the naughty thing.

It's so cool!!!!

[PsychicStar · 10/10 · 20 October 2001]

This movie is so inspiring. The music is amazing, the acting is brilliant and it's funny, sad and everything else. I loved it, but I don't know if it will appeal to you. I loved Sean Patrick Flanery and Dominique Swain. And Tara Reid. I think it was Tara's best piece of acting ever. In short, I LOVE THIS MOVIE!!!