Girlfriend

Girlfriend is a 2010 independent drama film brilliantly directed by Justin Lerner. The film's ensemble cast includes standout performances by Shannon Woodward, Jackson Rathbone, and Amanda Plummer and conveys a heart-tugging story that blends romance, drama, and social issues unexpectedly, making it an emotionally stirring cinematic experience worth savoring.

Set in small town America, the film's plot line revolves around unconventional love and the sociopolitical layers of our perceptions of that love. The film centers on Evan, an avowedly sweet young man with Down syndrome excellently portrayed by Evan Sneider.

The fantastic acting prowess of Shannon Woodward is fully realized in Girlfriend as you find her playing Candy, a single mother struggling to make ends meet. Safe to say, she is the crux of the plot, juggling her overworked life while raising her two-year-old son alone. Her character depicts the raw and practically unglamorous lifestyle of the lower-middle-class struggle – the continuous effort to keep up with the bills, the desperation of working a tip-reliant job, and the daily struggles of single motherhood. Candy also has her past – a past that is caught up in an entangled relationship with her abusive ex-boyfriend, Russ.

Russ, portrayed by Jackson Rathbone, is a character you might find difficult to empathise with right from the get-go. An insecure man subsumed under his mean, possessive demeanor, suffering from jealousy and bouts of rage that threaten to destabilise the fragile balance of Candy's life. Rathbone’s performance is undoubtedly captivating, as he manages to instigate this imminent sense of dread every time he appears onscreen.

Amanda Plummer introduces a delightful chunk of comedy as Celeste, Evan's overprotective but kindhearted mother. Her character looks after Evan but also provides enough freedom for him to be his own individual.

Girlfriend brilliantly demonstrates how the lives of these distinctive characters intersect, clash, and influence each other throughout the arc of the narrative. As the story unfolds, we see Evan, living a life relatively undisturbed by the judgments of the outside world, innocently getting smitten by Candy. His love, pure and innocent, and oblivious to societal norms, propels him to help Candy out in her trying times with no ulterior motives other than pure affection. This innocent adoration of Evan for Candy forms the crux of the storyline and weaves together the narrative's key themes of romance, socioeconomic struggles, and the concept of unconventional love.

However, the characters find this burgeoning relationship hard to navigate, given their circumstances, past histories, and the societal prejudices associated with people with Down syndrome. The plot masterfully subsumes under its wing the emotional complexities, dilemmas, and possible consequences of such an unconventional love story brewing in the underlying adversity of their lives.

The movie’s setting adds another layer to amplify the prevailing themes. The small-town portrayal of Girlfriend serves to depict not just Evan's comfortable familiar world but also the economic and cultural constraints that hem in the key characters and influence their actions.

Justin Lerner's conscientious direction crafts this compelling story without using broad strokes of black and white. Instead, he opts for hues and shades, not painting anyone as a clear villain or a ubiquitous saint. The characters are flawed, have made questionable choices, but they're human and give us a realistic insight into their lives.

The movie also creditably avoids melodrama, achieving an earnest and authentic feel despite dealing with emotionally charged themes. Its storytelling stays engrossing with nuanced character development and plot progression that is neither overwrought nor under-cooked.

Girlfriend successfully brings to life a poignant and daring story that draws heavily from its skilled ensemble of actors, giving us an intense exploration of unsuspecting romance, the struggle of everyday life, and the confrontations of a socio-economically divided society. Every character portrays a different perspective while giving viewers a genuinely moving tale that lingers on long after the end credits roll. This is an indie gem catered for those who appreciate emotionally profound, thought-provoking, and uniquely crafted stories. A must-watch for fans of dramatic romance and character-driven narratives.