Girlhood Review

Not a rushed-out Richard Linklater knock-off, Céline Sciamma’s empathetic, powerful, almost documentary-like drama follows 16 year-old Marieme (a terrific Karidja Touré), a disenfranchised teen living on a Parisian estate who falls into a girl gang. Despite catfights and low-level crime, the film is at its best just hanging out with the girls detailing the joys and pains of female friendship. Things feel more generic when Marieme moves in with a local Mr. Big, but overall this is a gripping, non-judgmental look at a young girl finding herself in the toughest circumstances.