God Help the Girl *** (2014, Olly Alexander, Emily Browning, Hannah Murray, Pierre Boulanger) – Movie Review

Emily Browning stars as Eve, who is in the hospital dealing with anorexia and emotional problems and starts writing songs as a way of getting better. But in Glasgow she meets musicians James (Olly Alexander) and Cass (Hannah Murray). A summer of renaissance follows for these young people as the crossroads of their lives.

Belle and Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch‘s indie musical is fey and fragile, but it has charm and is often very sweet. Alexander shows offbeat charisma as singer-songwriter James, who of course falls for Eve, in a best friends sort of way. Browning certainly has her charms and allure too. And Pierre Boulanger should melt a few hearts as Anton.

It’s easy to go with the flow and enjoy the situations, characters and Scottish backdrops, though the music and the vaguely When Harry Met Sally/ What If/ Jules et Jim kind of premise may not appeal to everybody. The actors and film are likeable however, and you wish the film well. It tries very hard to be both quirky and sincere as well as haunting, and does pretty well with all three. Murdoch wrote and directed it, which is clever and commendable of him.

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© Derek Winnert 2014 Movie Review

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Pierre Boulanger should melt a few hearts as Anton.