Home Video with Abe: Dirty Girl

Dirty Girl
Directed by Abe Sylvia
Released October 7, 2011



I missed this comedy when it was in theatres this fall, but LBI was kind enough to send me a copy of the DVD, which was released last Tuesday, and I’m very glad I saw it. This saga of a bad girl in the 1980s, Danielle (Juno Temple), whose search for her father takes her on a wild cross-country trip with Clarke (Jeremy Dozier), an unpopular boy whose father disapproves strongly of his homosexuality. At first, Danielle and Clarke seem like ordinary stereotypes, but as the film goes on, they become endearing and entertaining characters. Temple is fantastic, delivering sarcastic and mean-spirited dialogue with a fervor that matches Charlize Theron in “Young Adult,” and Clarke reveals a surprising energy that makes him one of the movie’s funniest personalities. Milla Jovovich, Mary Steenburgen, Dwight Yoakam, and Gary Grubbs fill out a strong supporting cast without any weak links. This is a road movie and a high school movie wrapped into one, and it manages to be original and highly enjoyable.

B+