Girl - A Sundance Review

You are not alone.

Girl premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Grace and Ama have a close mother-daughter bond. Suffering from trauma, Grace restrains her daughter from making friendships and interacting with the world.

This was one of my favorite films to view at Sundance. Girl explores trauma. It’s a film that examines the relationship between and mother and daughter. Not outright specified, I like when films keep you guessing. With time and the right help, we’ll find ourselves again.

Deborah Lukumuena and Le’Shantey Bonsu played a wonderful mother-daughter pair. Sharing some tough scenes, like a fight about Ama’s existence, Girl perfectly encases how a child can guide their parent. Happy to work together, the pair found a connection before filming, developing a sense of trust.

Lukumuena studied Grace’s anxious demeanor along with her relationship with Ama. Traumatized from past events, Grace’s fears hinder her from enjoying life. It also obstructs her to form a healthy relationship with Ama.

I was surprised to learn that this was Le’Shantey Bonsu’s first film. In a rare moment, Ama becomes the parent to Grace, encouraging her to look at the world. That is an excellent example of children taking leadership. I felt tears in my eyes when Ama told her mother that she will keep her safe.

The friendship between Ama and Fiona (Liana Turner) is so special. Fiona helps Ama branch out into the world. In return, Ama teaches Fiona about her culture. This is what we need to see more of in films.

In the last year, Girl is the third film I’ve seen that talks about the menstruation cycle. Finally, we have more media this discusses this subject. Fiona comforting Ama is a bold enactment of friendship.

Support is a crucial theme in Girl. We always have someone to look out for us. People like Ama’s teacher or the landlord give helpful advice.

Girl spent 5 years in the making, with most of the time spent on the script. The story felt underdeveloped, relying on the film’s visual story. Certain story details are never fully explained. Throughout the first half of the film, I thought Grace made Ama hide because she was an illegal immigrant. I’m not complaining as it was a smart technique. Let audiences figure it out.

In her directorial debut, Adura Onashile detailed the time as an intense process while also feeling therapeutic. The film was autobiographical in a sense. Onashile addressed mature themes with the cast, talking through heavy material of scenes and how the cast chose to shoot them.

Onashile was an open-minded director. A psychiatrist and an intimacy coach were available during filming for Bonsu. The young actress was given the chance to interpret the film’s difficult topics on her own while still making sure she wasn’t affected.

The cinematography has a powerful sense of character. There are a lot of close-ups of the characters' faces. One of the best shots in the film is Ama overlooking the town to see the carnival lights in the distance. A Greek chorus accompanies the soundtrack of the film, expressing character behavior.

Girl is a quiet film. It’s not dialogue heavy. More films should do this. But don’t let silence keep you from getting the right help. Girl is about mental health. It’s therapeutic for anyone who needs it. Topics like sexual harassment and rape are implied but could still trigger some viewers. Grace’s behavior is upsetting with how afraid she is of life.

I highly recommend that you watch Girl once it is streaming. It’s an uplifting film that made me smile.