Hedley Browning
This film has a lot to recommend it but we better deal with the disappointments first. After a liberated opening and some three dimensional characters it moves, perhaps inevitably for a Hollywood movie, into a rather clichéd final third where every character is in some way made to pay for their involvement in the porn industry and the 'moral message' is invoked - even the initially avuncular internet mogul wearing devil's horns by the conclusion. Given what began as quite a fresh approach to an undoubtedly morally complex industry it would have been nice were we not exposed to such a whitewash at the end.And this film does have a lot of promise. The supporting cast is solid and Woods acts his sock off as the Parkinsons afflicted father subtly dealing with the awareness that his daughter is supporting him by working in the sex industry. It is the central performance that really carries the film though. Juliette Marquis's Moon is sensitive, erotic, intelligent, warm and alluring. Her voice overs meld surprising well with the action and her straight to camera digressions seem much fresher than they should for such an over-used device. In the end you will begin this film for her and it is her that carries you through to the end.A shame then that her, and Woods's, outstanding performances are let down by a rushed and simplistic ending.
Aarkangel
Refreshing for its full-on, unflinching exploration of issues around sexuality. Juliette Marquise is charismatic and well cast, as are most of the characters - the garage guy and the porn boss, for instance. James Woods' role is very exposed and difficult - he has to make himself ugly and without dignity - which he does in a brave way. The treatment of sex - given that it's a film about pornography - is admirably restrained and non-gratuitous. Ash has a very individual outlook not dissimilar from his cousin Sasha Baron Cohen - saying what people think but are afraid to say, asking the questions we want to ask but dare not.
aaronbees
This is an intriguing film that takes a sincere, albeit somewhat convoluted, look at one woman's odyssey in the Internet porn world.It may seem voyeuristic, but I find it dead-on informative in a slice-of-life manner (such as the scene where Moon is judging the potential men to sleep with and commenting on their ... packages -- priceless and funny and sexy all at once). Ultimately it's about human relationships and the kind of relationships Moon (played by Juliette Marquis, who should rightfully be a star someday) wants and needs in her life. Though I'm not sure the payoff by film's end is all that deep, her journey is an interesting, self-reflective one (part of why I like the voice over and talking into the camera technique Ash employs, though that's not a consistent tool).The lead actress herself is a breath of fresh air and quite natural. I didn't care much for Woods; though he starts well I think he tends to scene steal (same with Rappaport); the relatively no-name actors, I think, added more depth. Where the movie fails is the half-hearted moralistic turn it takes about halfway through the film, though it's honest and necessary to capture the seamier side of the industry. Some of those scenes just feel overdone and tacked on (such as the evil car salesman -- those scenes feel gross and obvious). All that said, Marquis is mesmerizing and displays some real talent and chops; I'm frankly rather amazed she's not a superstar yet. There's solid chemistry between her and her love interest, and I like the subtlety in their relationship; for once, a budding romance that's understated. I think Moon ultimately is realizing she's built up walls to control the world around her, and perhaps that's why she's yearning for s sort of "reincarnation," as she puts it.Definitely recommended, though some will find it meanders and doesn't add up. Not me, though.
patrick_ok
Movies that are loved and hated always have two things in common: 1. For the ones who like it it's really really great and 2. You're interested in which side you'll be on when the credits roll. Well, I can be happy I've watched This Girl's Life because I love it. Really, I haven't seen a movie like this since 2005's Serenity, and with that and Lost in Translation it's become one of my top favorites. The thing is: It seems, no it feels authentic & natural, so freakin' natural that you stop thinking and start to perceive it intuitively... The downside of this is that you won't notice some flaws, but who cares: Emotion and dramaturgy "could be" shallow, but as of me I was so full of excitement (not only because of the women), I don't know if it was joy or sadness or what else, it made me cry. And I don't cry a lot on movies, neither Titanic which left me absolutely cold, or anything. Let's switch the topic to porn: Despite of it being a movie about porn, erotic scenes are loads and levels more erotic than you see in pr0n. Porn's pumping "erotic"-level most of the time would be like, -10, whereas This Girl's Life is at 8 of 10, seriously, great subtle stuff. Especially the scenes without any real sex are heavy weight. With regard to that there's a nice running gag too, with Pops "disturbing" always at the worst moments.With regard to thought, one big thing I don't understand is why a lot of people think of it being very evaluative in the end, stating the good ol' cliché "porn's industry's no good". I got that impression too but after thinking - :) - the movie was but observing and commenting, choosing some more "negative" stuff to show, which isn't that surprising because of it being a movie with turning points and all. I don't wanna spoil you here, so I leave it to you to find out or not.On top of it all, it's got some great bonuses: Top notch beauties ;) and some memorable easy quotes you might not have heard up to now."women need a reason to cheat. men need a reason not to." true, true, true...
AD
