Unique in this day and age! “[Y]ou might just find yourself singing along with Eve or breaking into song yourself after the movie has ended.”

 

 

by Martin Hafer

God Help the Girl is a very unusual film because it is like combining an old fashioned musical with a modern angst-ridden coming of age movie.  The overall results are extremely enjoyable and I was surprised that this hip film still appealed to a tragically unhip old fogy like me!

God Help the Girl
Directed by
Stuart Murdoch
Cast
Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray
Release Date
5 September 2014
Martin’s Grade: A-

Emily Browning plays Eve, an exceptionally depressed anorexic young woman who has been getting in-patient treatment for her illness.  However, she disappears one day and soon meets a very nerdy looking guy, James.  They are later joined by James’ friend, Cassie, and the trio decide to form a band.  Now this isn’t the normal sort of indie/hipster band and the trio find that they actually have a really great sound (I was very impressed by the singing).  What’s next?  See the film.


Throughout the movie, Eve breaks into song and the film has little surreal breaks during which the lyrics tell about her life and inner struggles.  While Gene Kelly or Dick Powell might have done this during the golden days of Hollywood back of yesteryear, this is not something you’ll see in films today.  This gives the movie uniqueness.  This, combined with the real likability of the quirky characters, gives the movie a charm that make it impossible to dislike.  Try it yourself…I think you’ll probably feel the same.  And, you might just find yourself singing along with Eve or breaking into song yourself after the movie has ended.