All the Real Girls(2003)- User Reviews

If you like films that not only deal with real life, but FEEL like real life, you must see this movie. Made by a very young director with a limited budget, it captures many of the dimensions of young people as they explore the multiple joys and perils of genuine love. Set in a small southern mill town, relationships are intensified. That goes for friendships and male bonding as well (the females seem to be caught up in competition for the limited number of elible and worthwhile men). The fact that many of the actors and the director are close friends in real life clearly is important to the believability in what transpires. I found the film to be tender in a genuine way, especially as the two main characters slowly and carefully reveal their vulnerabilities in a sincere attempt to find real love. Whether they achieve it or not I will leave up to the film to reveal (or not), but the journey is oh so worth the viewers' taking it. The female lead is brilliant in the role--a fact made even more clear when you watch her in the special features. There she comes across as a bit vacuous and superficial. In the film, she is a totally appealing young woman emerging temptingly from her sheltered and innocent girlhood. I suppose this film most resembles "Diner" in its evocation of a perfect ensemble performance that comes across more like a documentary. A fine job.