Girls Will Be Girls, is a nuanced coming-of-age drama that delves into the complexities of adolescence, maternal relationships, sexual exploration, and societal expectations.
The plot is set against the serene backdrop of a conservative boarding school in the Himalayan foothills. The film centres around 18-year-old Mira (played by Preeti Panigrahi), a model schoolgirl – a Head Prefect and an ideal student, who is good in academics and remains a reputed person among the faculty.
Mira’s life takes a new turn when she meets Srinivas (played by Kesav Binoy Kiron), a charming new student at her school. As both like each other, they often meet for studies at Mira’s home or hangout together.
But, there are rules bound by her mother, Anila (played by Kani Kusruti).
Anila studied in the same boarding school and moved to her house in the town before Mira’s exams. Even though having a love marriage, a sort of distance from her husband can be noticed, and that remains a mystery.
She is protective and equally supportive towards her daughter, which can be noticed by the restrictions she puts on Mira. As a viewer, you might misunderstand Anila like me (a rival to her daughter), but the queries are answered as the narrative moves forward.
Writer-director, Suchi Talati’s screenplay is a masterclass in subtlety and depth, exploring themes of sexual awakening, maternal envy, and the societal constraints imposed on women in our society.
The narrative captures the tension between tradition and modernity, highlighting the generational divide in perceptions of femininity and autonomy.
Mira’s journey from a disciplined student to a young woman exploring her desires is portrayed by Panigrahi with authenticity, reflecting the universal struggle for self-discovery amidst societal expectations.
In a scene, she sucks her palm to experience how a kiss feels, which subtly shows the curiosity among adolescents on sexual exploration.
The film also examines the intricate dynamics of the mother-daughter relationship.
A deeply nuanced scene portraying their evolving relationship is when Anila gets two glasses of strawberry milkshakes (the favorite drink of the two teenagers on the screen), one for herself and the other for Srinivas, but none for Mira. She is simply asked to get hers from the kitchen.
There is not much space left to predict in the plot.
The storytelling is nuanced and to the point without any fillers to stretch the plot. Very few films in Indian cinema have explored teenager-driven narratives to the depth that Girls Will Be Girls gets into.
I wouldn’t give it a second thought before recommending this film. And, indeed, this is one of the best films of this year, and you can watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
