It Felt Like Love

"It Felt Like Love" is a film from 2013 that offers an authentic and intimate exploration of female adolescence and the painfully formative experiences of first love and sexual awakening. The story unfolds in the sun-soaked environment of a Brooklyn neighborhood during summer. The film, a raw and authentic coming-of-age drama, is the directorial debut of Eliza Hittman, who later receives acclaim for her works like "Beach Rats" and "Never Rarely Sometimes Always".

The film's protagonist is a 14-year-old girl named Lila played profoundly by Gina Piersanti. Lila is an introverted teenager navigating the stormy waters of early adolescence. From the very beginning of the story, we can sense Lila's burning desire for maturity, sexual awakening, and most importantly, acceptance among her peers. Her loneliness makes her prone to dangerously experimenting with her sexuality, leading her on a haunting journey into the world of premature adulthood.

The film also features Nyck Caution and Giovanna Salimeni. Giovanna Salimeni stands out in the role of Chiara, Lila's more experienced and outgoing friend, while Nyck Caution brings life to the character of Sammy, an older guy who becomes the object of Lila's misguided affection.

"It Felt Like Love" is deeply characterized by its central theme of relentless yearning for belonging and deeper connections. We can see how Lila tries to mimic and navigate through her friend Chiara's sexual experiences, as she believed this would bring her further into the sphere of maturity and acceptance among her peers. The lack of judgment and unflinching honesty with which Hittman explores the volatile area of teenage sexuality only adds to the film’s potent power. It’s rare to see such confident handling of a subject matter often glossed over in films.

Unique in its storytelling, "It Felt Like Love" impeccably explores Lila's solitary summer. Without adhering to the clichés typical of coming-of-age films, Hittman does a compelling job of highlighting the essence of Lila's experience. As the story evolves, viewers are allowed to witness discomfiting yet critical aspects of what it's like to grow up as a young female in a world dominated by male gaze.

While the narrative centers around Lila's experiences, the characters of Sammy and Chiara are expertly used to flesh out the social dynamics and pressures faced by teenagers. Their roles allow a deeper understanding of the impact of societal norms and expectations on naïve and impressionable young minds.

Furthermore, "It Felt Like Love" triumphs in its use of visual storytelling. Cinematography plays a significant role throughout the narrative, shaping the visceral and emotional tone of the film. The film uses the urban and suburban landscapes of Brooklyn and Staten Island, the contrasting landscapes offering a chilling background to the narrative. Sean Porter, the cinematographer, succeeds in capturing both the heady euphoria of summer and the piercing vulnerability of the protagonist, making every frame feel deeply private and personal.

Despite the difficulty of the subject matter, "It Felt Like Love" doesn’t shy away from low, uneasy moments, embracing the awkwardness and uncertainty of adolescence. The film creates a sense of discomfort, pulling audiences into the very heart of Lila’s anxious journey towards self-discovery.

Grounded performances by the young cast, especially Gina Piersanti, lend the film a palpable realism. Piersanti's portrayal of Lila's raw and often heartbreaking vulnerability is hauntingly beautiful. Despite her silence and introverted personality, Piersanti lets Lila's feelings shine through, leaving an unforgettable impression.

Eliza Hittman's powerful exploration of adolescence in "It Felt Like Love" stands as a stark reminder of the complexity and loneliness tied to growing up. It displays a sharp sensitivity to the challenges of teenage girlhood and leaves us with a profoundly intimate look into the world of early sexual exploration, peer pressure, and emotional turmoil. The film is both a testament to Hittman's abilities as a director and a refreshing take on a familiar genre, offering a brutally honest depiction of a pivotal time in a young girl's life.