This tangled coming-of-age web asks two key questions: 1) What if your crush likes your mom better? And 2) What do you do when the class bully system turns into a Frankensteinian mob? I’m not sure Girls Will Be Girls had a solution to either question, but it sure enjoyed presenting them.
At Lower Himalaya High (The Fightin’ Yetis), Mira Kishore (Preeti Panigrahi) -a model student and citizen- becomes the first female Head Prefect in school history. First off: NERD! Secondly: Seriously, “Head Prefect?” I thought J.K. Rowling made that shit up. This is really a thing, huh? Thirdly, and most importantly: every “first female” milestone is going to face backlash. It just is. Mine is such a stupid and insecure gender, we twice voted for the worst human we could find instead of admitting the competent woman was a better choice.
The last part come into play later. Before that, Mira connects with the new boy, Srinivas (Kesav Binoy Kiron), a slice of yum with a keen interest in astronomy. Pretty soon, both of these young, young adults are seeing stars. It helps that Srinivas is clearly five years older than Mira. Cuz normally, one doesn’t jeopardize a college scholarship for just some old dirtrag.
Huh, come to think of it, this happens all the time, especially in movies. Well, while Mira is busy throwing her life away. Her mother Anila (Kani Kusruti) starts getting involved. At first, Anila is simply protective of Mira, but then, well, what’s Hindi for “cougar?” That.
Meanwhile, the
bullies have noticed that one of theirs in no longer in this prefect position of impotent power and don’t like it. They like it even less when Mira becomes a narc. This is going to get ugly; we can feel it.
Girls Will Be Girls is a decent coming-of-age. While it may not reflect problems most teens face: head prefect, cougarism, mob violence, and perfect SATs are not generally accessible issues for most teens, the film does reflect the difficulties of getting from pre-puberty to adulthood. Can’t say I was enamored, but I did like Mira and wanted her to remain both alive and not pregnant by the end of the film.
♪Mira’s mom has got it goin’ on
Mira’s mom has got it goin’ on
Mira, can’t you see?
You’re just not the girl for Sri
“Head Prefect’s” not my naan
Cuz Mira’s mom has got it goin’ on♫
Not Rated, 118 Minutes
Director: Shuchi Talati
Writer: Shuchi Talati
Genre: High School sucks
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Cougars?
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Valedictorians
♪ Parody Inspired by “Stacy’s Mom”
