DIRTY GIRL (2010)

Written & Directed By: Abe Sylvia
Cinematography By: Steve Gainer
Editor: Jonathan Lucas

Cast: Juno Temple, Jeremy Dozier, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, Jack Kelher, Milla Jovovich, Pat Healy, Brent Briscoe, William H. Macy, Nicholas D’Agosto, Tim McGraw, Elsie Fisher 


A comedic story of the search for identity and the redemptive power of unexpected friendship. Danielle is the dirty girl of Norman High School. When Danielle's misbehavior gets her banished to special ed, she teams up with an innocent closet-case and together they head out on a road trip to discover each other and themselves through a funny and serendipitous friendship. 


Every once in a while a movie comes along that seems built around an actor who is usually cast in bit or supporting roles. The actor usually steals the show or is much better than the material. So once they are offered a lead in an indie film they usually seem to jump at the chance to stretch and show range.

Though sometimes the movie doesn’t match the greatness of the performance. Though the film tries to tell it’s Story strongly. It anchors it’s tale to the lead to make wonders of it. That is one of the problems here.

Juno Temple is a good Actress and a captivating performer but the film leaves her with little to do as the star of the film. It seems though she has the main story. The side story of her befriending an in the closet boy and his self discovery is really the more interesting and main interest of the script and film as when he exits the film so does the fun in the film.

It feels like when some who are shy to but condoms in stores. Go in and buy a bunch of other stuff and try to throw the condoms in there as just another item. Hoping the clerk won’t notice. That is how his story is handled. Where as maybe because of Juno temple playing a kind of similarly sexy white trashy with a heart of gold in the movie KILLER JOE. This feels similar only her character is smarter here and while the film has sex it’s not shown as much.

The film becomes entertaining once in a while. There really seems to be no particular reason for the film to be set in the 1980’s except for s reason to have funny fashions, hair do’s and close mindedness being more acceptable.

Once in a while the film comes up with funny comedic scenes or dialogue but not often enough.
in fact Mary Steenburgen’s Character doesn’t laugh or smile once throughout.

At first it seemed that the film was going to give a female empowerment message but ends up being more of an attempt at a heartfelt teen comedy coming of age film

It’s too racy for the whole family but like it’s title underneath a tough exterior. It has a good simple heart

GRADE: D+