WARNING:
This film should only be seen by those with a
VERY relaxed attitude toward sexuality. Unless
you are very familiar with a 'European' style of
filmmaking regarding sexuality, I would
recommend avoiding this film. This film was
banned in most countries for over 25 years.
Made in the mid 1970's, Catherine Breillat's
exploration of a teenage girl's sexual awakening
is a surreal journey inside the mind of Alice
Bonnard (Charlotte Alexandra) while she spends
her summer vacation with her parents.
I had seen Breillat's "Romance" a few years ago
and was intrigued by the film despite not
feeling that it was entirely successful.
Breillat has also made critically acclaimed
movies like "Fat Girl" and the upcoming festival
hit called "Sex is Comedy".
She is a VERY provocative filmmaker, never
afraid to touch on all the taboos in our
society. And she is never afraid to show those
taboos in graphic detail as if to mute their
impact.
In "Romance", Breillat showed one of the first
scenes of fellatio in a major motion picture. In
"A Real Young Girl", she shows some extremely
graphic fantasy sequences that will make many
uncomfortable.
I don't think a male director could have made
this film without being labelled a pervert. It
is important to note that Breillat uses her sex
to go beyond the bounds of criticism.
The film itself is an intensely fascinating
journey into the mind of this particular teenage
girl. She is played magnificently and bravely by
Charlotte Alexandra in what amounts to a career
killing performance. I mean, where does an
actress go from here? Well, in her case, she
went on to do some soft core "Emmanuelle" style
films.
The girl in this film has extreme insecurity
issues. She thinks of herself as vile and
disgusting and can barely think of her sexuality
without vomiting. And yet she is insanely
curious to explore those feelings.
I will not recount the scenes in any detail, but
be warned... some of them are tough to watch.
I recommend the film to emotionally and mentally
mature adults who want to see a fascinating
character study.
Catherine Breillat may not be a brilliant
filmmaker, but she is a provocative one with a
big set of balls. She is almost determined to
breakdown the barrier to our subconscious
desires and our embarrassment of taboo imagery.
I appreciate that greatly, but I am not sure
that many will be able to handle the journey.
I recommend this film to those familiar with and
have interest in movies like...
Last Tango in Paris
The Dreamers
Pola X
Romance
Fat Girl
Sex is Comedy
36 Fillete
Perfect Love
Brief Crossing
Baise Moi
©
Written by TC Candler
Richard
Propes' Comment
n/a
Jacob
Hall's Comment
n/a
