White Girl

White Girl is a 2016 American drama film that explores the depths of youth, privilege, and debauchery in modern youth culture. Directed by Elizabeth Wood in her directorial debut, the movie provides an intense and stark portrayal of self-destruction, as seen through the lifestyle of a college girl living in New York City. The film was critically acclaimed and is revered for the dynamic performances by its young ensemble cast which includes Morgan Saylor, Brian Marc, and Justin Bartha.

Morgan Saylor starred in the lead role as Leah, a college student who moves into Ridgewood, Queens, with her best friend Katie (India Menuez). Being a journalism intern, Leah is a woman inclined towards curiosity, risk, and living on the edge. Her raw, uninhibited life takes a turn when she meets a young Puerto Rican drug dealer named Blue (Brian Marc). Coming from a troubled background, Blue is the direct opposite of Leah, leading to an unlikely attraction between the two.

As Leah and Blue ignite a passionate relationship, Leah finds herself essentially in a different socio-economic world riddled with uncertainties and adversities. When Blue faces legal problems, Leah comes to his rescue, going to any length in an attempt to help him get out of trouble. This sets a course of risky, unsettling, and wild experiences for Leah, fueled by her naivety, lack of understanding of the system, and sheer determination to release Blue from his encumbrances.

The film seamlessly incorporates themes of party culture, drugs, sex, and power in a way that speaks volumes about how a young individual's life can be unceremoniously ripped apart not only by the excessive indulgence but also by the judicial system. The movie doesn’t shy away from the raw elements and instead, chooses to uncover the harsh realities of modern youth culture and social disparity. The line between being carefree and careless becomes blurred in the reckless whirlwind of Leah's life as she navigates through the grimy underbelly of the city.

Justin Bartha plays a character named Kelly, a sleazy lawyer who Leah encounters in her desperate search for help to free Blue from the judicial system. Bartha digs into his character with a dark charm, being the epitome of a morally ambiguous figure that Leah naively believes can save her world. Instead, she is subjected to an array of tumultuous events and cruel life lessons.

As viewers spend a summer in Leah's chaotic world, they are subjected to the provocative coming-of-age narrative. The film's candid dialogue and bold visual aesthetic make it an undiluted portrayal of the rituals of youth, presenting an honest perspective of their desires, challenges, and ultimately, the verdict that society silently places on them.

Commonly likened to a modern version of the 1985 film “Kids,” White Girl, however, stands on its own due to its focus on the protagonist's unwavering determination. Despite her apparent lack of judgment and innocent naivety, Leah's courage echoes throughout the film as she is uncontrollably drawn into a world unknown to her, where the rules are incomprehensibly harsh. Morgan Saylor delivers a powerful performance, embodying the character of Leah with such genuine conviction that it's impossible not to sympathize with her journey.

White Girl is not for the faint-hearted. It's a tumultuous ride that fearlessly explores chaotic youth in all its glory and grim reality, which could potentially verge on offensive for some viewers with its explicit content. However, it must be noted that the movie captures the raw, uncensored events of the modern youth culture and struggles associated with it.

With its provocative narrative and candid performances by a youthful cast, the film serves as a potent reminder of the consequences of reckless youth indulgence. 'White Girl’ may leave you uncomfortable, and perhaps rightfully so. It serves as a raw, unflinching reality check on the casualness of youth, privilege, and how these factors can drastically influence the perception of law, society, and life.