Without doubt the most enjoyable flick I’ve viewed this inaugural Feast Film Festival, Boy Meets Girl is a delightfully comical romance about three 20-something friends in Kentucky coming to terms with themselves and each other.
Writer/Director Eric Schaeffer tells the story of Ricky (Michelle Hendley), a pretty, transgender girl who is luckless in love. Her beauty comes from both within and without, possessing a warm heart and a sharp wit. As she laments the lack of men in her life and the possibility of dating women, she meets debutante Francesca (Alexandra Turshen) and the two start an affair until the latter’s fiancé (Michael Galante as David) unexpectedly returns from war.
Her best friend Robby (Michael Welch) hovers in the background like a brother, guardedly coming to terms with his own unexpected feelings of jealousy when his soul mate finds other pastures.
While there’s nothing unexpected about the love triangle that forms between these characters, Boy Meets Girl stands out from other films of a similar ilk in two respect: Surprisingly, and with great relief, it avoids the emotional histrionics we’ve come to expect from young adult films, focussing instead on the relationships of three intelligent young people who are simply discovering romance, with all its excitement, passion, tenderness and fears. The issue of fluid sexuality is also handled in a refreshing way, finding a place in the normalcy of their lives. Ricky fears that being transgender may scare people away, yet it doesn’t stop her from seizing life. Her unexpected switch to lesbianism is an adventure that both girls explore with as much enthusiasm as trepidation; and Robby’s struggle with his switch to liking a girl is met with equal nervous grace.
Schaeffer’s script is warm, funny and mature, not least of all being in the way it shows Ricky’s family life and her bond with young brother Sam (Joseph Ricci in a very natural and loveable performance).
The Australian premiere of Boy Meets Girl will screen at 6pm on Saturday 5 July 2014 at the Mercury Cinema. Tickets are available from the Feast office, through FeastTix online or phone 8463 0684, or at the door if not sold out.
Don’t miss it.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating out of 10: 9
More News
