Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.

Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. is an early 90's independent drama film adorned with a lively naturalism and spot-on street-smarts fascinatingly written and directed by Leslie Harris. The film boasts the talented ensemble of Ariyan A. Johnson as its lead character, backed by Kevin Thigpen and Ebony Jerido's lauded performances.

This 1992's film explores the slice of life of a vibrant and ambitious high-schooler, Chantel Mitchell (played by Ariyan A. Johnson). Beyond the four walls of Soho, New York, Chantel navigates her life through the intricate balance between family, education, relationship, and impending adulthood. The protagonist is a transformational figure, smart and extrovert, who holds her dream of becoming a doctor and breaking her cycle of poverty and stereotypes. She stands as an emblem of free will, ambition, and resilience amid her school, part-time job, and home life in Brooklyn's projects.

Both headstrong and impulsive, she works as a part-time check-out girl to support her family while pursuing her dream in a male-dominated field of medicine. In a daily life full of social pressure and expectations, Chantel's character represents a broader issue prevailing in the society – teenage pregnancy, racism, and the struggle to eschew the stereotype attached to "just another girl on the I.R.T.," a reference to the subway line in New York.

All gendered societal standards are challenged and upturned through Chantel, who is rarely docile and unopinionated. Despite her academic excellence and vibrant persona, she's often misunderstood. Subplots include Chantel's relationships with her school friends and her boyfriend Tyrone, played convincingly by Kevin Thigpen, whose charm and assertiveness make a considerable impact on Chantel's life. Ebony Jerido, playing Lavonica, is also a character of significance, enriching the relatable struggles of everyday life in a socially compressed community.

Music plays a substantial part in the ambiance of this film, with its rich soundtrack of classic hip hop setting a rhythm to the narrative flow and illustrating the zeitgeist of the early '90's era. Similarly noteworthy is the authentic portrayal of bustling Brooklyn, embodied by the documentary-style cinematography, maintaining a candid and gritty atmosphere throughout the movie.

What sets Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. apart from the other films of its era is its portrayal of social realism through the lens of a fiery and young African American girl. In a narrative terrain mostly dominated by men, this film talks loud and clear about feminism, racial stereotype, and class division. It dares enough to drive the story from a young female's perspective, making it a rather unique snapshot of life among African-Americans in Brooklyn's projects.

The distinct appeal and high-wattage performance of Ariyan A. Johnson provide a depth to Chantel Mitchell's character. Johnson's performance is a potpourri of teenage arrogance, stubbornness, charm, and vulnerability, making her a realistically beautiful portrayal of adolescence in a world that tends to brush them into the corner.

Known for its searing honesty and straightforward style, Leslie Harris' directorial debut brings forth various aspects of African American lives, their social issues, and their resilience. It is engaging and in-your-face with its arguments, with spikes of humor and energy that keep you gripped till the end. The film's dialogue is rich with sparky retorts and street-smart sprints, which add layers to the distinct personalities each character holds.

In sum, Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. presents a vision of Brooklyn's projects in the 90's seen with grit, humor, and honesty through the eyes of a bold and spirited teenager, Chantel Mitchell. With fantastic ensemble performances and a stirring storyline, the film remains memorable and continues to resonate for its strong portrayal of an ambitious young woman marginalized by race and class, challenging her circumstances and persona against the wind.