Review of All the Real Girls (2003) by Andy F — 24 Jul 2004

[b]Starring [/b]Paul Schneider, Zooey Deschanel, Patricia Clarkson, Shea Wigham, Danny McBride & Benjamin Mouton [b]Written & Directed by [/b]David Gordon Green.

It was back in November of 2002 when I was in the theater waiting to view "Far From Heaven" when I saw a trailer for this film. I couldn't get it out of my mind. I knew it was a must see if Indiana theaters ever got it. They did on March 21st, and I made what would be one of my all-time favorite visits to the movie theater six days later. I expected greatness, but what I received after it all was much, much more.

The film opens with an extraordinary scene that introduces the two main characters, Paul (Paul Schneider) and Noel (Zooey Deschanel) on a dark street in a small mill town somehwere in North Carolina. From the first minute the film rolls and the actors appear, I was stunned at how much I cared for the characters in the film, escpecially for Paul and Noel. The world around these two doesn't seem to matter to them or to the audience, just as Green most likely wanted when he imagined the finished project. All the other characters in the movie are speaking, but Paul and Noel and even myself don't listen, because we're all three caught up inside a realm all our own. It's a beautiful picture. I truly was completely mesmerized by the groundbreaking quality of the screenplay and the true to life acting "All The Real Girls" threw at me.

I haven't seen many movies that are better then this. I don't think a film could be better written.

I encourage people to see this movie. No wait, I encourage EVERYONE to see this movie. Especially the dumbasses who think they'd turn into a "girl" or "faggot" if they saw a romantic film (you all know who you are. remember when you wouldn't give "Jerry Maguire" a chance. you fucked up there man, don't fuck up again). I never give away too much of a story, but I always tell a little. This time it is much different, I'm not going to say a thing about the story, I'm just going to keep praising it enough to try and get anyone to see it.

Every word written by David Gordon Green in this film deserves to be cherished many times over. It's the often hilarious, frequently heartbreaking and always real masterpiece that will end up on my 10 best list at the end of the year. Right now it stands at the top of the list almost 4 months in. It's the movie that I wish I had made.

Rated R - 1 hour, 48 minutes (review written on 3/28/2003).