Has appeal for heterosexuals too!
Robin Orlowski | United States | 02/14/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I reccently rented this movie and appreciated the way it avoided the overglossed perfect world trap that so many other love movies have stuck themselves in. Also it takes great care to avoid the preachy and heavy handed treatment given to many coming of age novels. The result: a dynamic product that anybody regardless of sexuality can relate to.Sure, the title may make some progressives flinch (after all, how many male chauvinist fantasies have been built on the "amazing lesbian couple" theme, but I was really proud in the way this movie's script was handled and thought the movie was done very respectively and tastefully. These women seek pleasure only for themselves, and not for oogling spectators who would reduce them to an exotic item. They are natural and three dimensional beings who are trying to find their place in the world. I am not very overly emotional about films, so I was unprepared for the crying that followed Evie and Randy's hidding. Because these women dared to be themselves, they encountered tremendous amounts of hatred and fear from their town. Whether it was the director's and writers intention or not, that part of the film was the most dramatic (I did not think it was comedic at all) and reminded me of the many publicized hate crimes against gays and lesbians. Granted the independent nature of the film (as well as the subject matter) made it really difficult to accheive box office sucess, but the world's loss is the gain of devoted fans of all backgrounds who know caring relationships when we see it. Apparently our society is well in need of a wake up call that heterosexuality does not neccesarily equal a great and stable relationship."
A film to have a crush on
Melissa (pantaloones@hotmail.com) | Olympia, WA | 11/08/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
""Two Girls in Love" totally shifted my way of thinking when I was smack dab in the middle of my coming-out process. I must say that the girls, for the most part, had a much easier time with their 'first love' than seems realistic, but what the hell? It's a nice story. It's a sweet movie, it'll make you want to go make a pot of cocoa and snuggle up with your girlfriend. There just aren't enough compassionate, un-tormented lesbian films out there--- but this is ONE, and it's a good start. You'll like it! Tootles!"
Low Budget, Big Value
Robin L. McLaughlin | Seattle, Wa. | 12/08/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I was browsing through and saw that some of the more recent reviews of this movie were ragging on the low budget quality of the film, which completely overlooks what it achieved. So I felt I needed to add my two cents on a lesbian film that will always hold a special place in my heart.
If I'm recalling correctly, the budget for the movie was somewhere around $50,000. For what many people spend on a car, Maria Maggenti was able to make an entire movie of much higher caliber than one would ever expect in a world of millions spent to make schlock. In fact, for size of the budget Maggenti had to work with, it's a cinematic masterpiece. Okay, maybe that's laying it on a bit thick, but hopefully gets my point across.
The directing and the acting by the two leads are actually fairly top notch for an independant film, and the lack of funds mostly shows in the details. The script and acting is a bit over the top in places, but then in a lot of ways it's supposed to be. Just look at the title of the movie. The movie lacks polish in pretty much all areas, but for a basically no-budget first attempt, that is easily forgiven.
The story is heartwarming and does a nice job of depicting two teenagers coming of age who are from two completely different worlds where neither of those worlds has much respect for the other. It's also a good look at first love and all that entails, whether those involved are straight or gay.
The scene where the mom comes home to find the mess is still one of my favorites in any movie just because of the unexpectedness and hilarity of it. I also think that the music during their love making is one of the best matches of music to a love scene that I've experienced in a movie, probably second only to the use of Santana's Samba Pa Ti in "If These Walls Could Talk 2". (Unfortunately I have no idea who wrote that piece of music in "Two Girls" or what it's called.)
So yeah, it's a low budget film. But focusing on that blinds one to all the positives and neglects all the wonderful aspects of this movie. "The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love" is actually a triumph of independant film-making and shows just how much can be accomplished on talent and determination alone. It puts to shame all those movies out there made with more money, but less true understanding of what makes for a good movie. It is funny and sweet and no lesbian movie collection is really complete without it. I first saw it at an international film festival when it was originally released, I owned it on VHS, and now have the DVD version. I imagine I'll still be pulling it out to watch occasionally 20 years from now."
Wonderfully Realistic Tale of 2 Girls in Love
jeweliciem | CA, United States | 07/17/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I was absolutely devoured by this film after the first scene. Laurel Holloman (Randy), is breathtaking. As is Nicole Parker (Evie), who you've probably seen in other films, one being "200 Cigarettes". A story of young love and the importance of finding out and embracing who you are. I recommend this movie for anyone, gay or straight. Invite your mate and hit the couch. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll enjoy."