The City Girl (1984) User Reviews (2)

Rarest

[mrmichaeltroper · 10/10 · 2 August 2017]

Once upon a time i had it on VHS, obtained in some obscure op shop in a hidden pocket of town.

My ex and i watched this movie on the evening before the day we broke up, and - as i recall - synchronistically one of the themes of the movie is breakups; the process of understanding incompatibility; of realizing a relationship is not working.

Though my ex and i broke up amicably there was a sense at the time that I was the one being dumped, and I was angry for a while. The painful resonance this movie had for me; simply it reminded me of the emotional mess i was left in after a breakup. So, along with many other videos i had at the time, i took them all to an op shop as part of my process of 'cleansing' my life and trying to move on.

But of all the films that have come into my possession, this is the one that sticks with me the most, a film of 'Anne' weaving her way through Toronto city, the 80's vibe, big hair, coke, they even use analog drum machines in the soundtrack.

Poignant story line not afraid to deal with themes that are very real, drugs, confusion over our identity, desire, violence and rape. and BREAKUPS. Good screenplay, interesting story, balanced with a creative cinematography its just sad that everywhere i look i can't find this movie. Please help me find it! -michael

Not a half-baked serial killer story ... it's actually great

[Alice_K · 8/10 · 11 June 2005]

The video cover makes it look a very trashy thriller - which it is not at all. It's about the life and times of Anne, a young and ambitious photographer. The style is very light and natural. The actors are convincing, 'real' types - Laura Harrington is especially good. Shot in Toronto I believe and set there too, which makes a nice change.

The ending is not so good, frankly. But the rest more than makes up for this. The subjects explored are unusual. Some great scenes and characters. A menage a trois after a party is depicted with such awkward truth that it's very funny - with a sting in the tail. The sequence where Anne photographs a stripper is filled with energy. A fascinating experience. The soundtrack's really good too.