Review of All the Real Girls (2003) by Patrick H — 05 Oct 2008

This is not your typical American hokey love story. In fact, it is one of the only movies about a real, honest romance I have ever seen. Paul Schneider plays Paul, a mechanic who falls for Noel (Zooey Deschanel).

At first, they just talk. . .and talk. But it never seems boring; Paul is trying to change his ways (he was the local womanizer) and Noel doesn't seem to care about his past. Noel's brother and Paul's friend, Tip, tries to warn Noel about it: he has slept with a lot of local women and then never has anything to do with them again.

But over time, Noel feels she can trust Paul. Likewise, Paul seems to be rising to a more mature level. Their relationship is very close but they never actually have sex. Noel is a virgin and loves Paul enough to take it to the next level.

On the other hand, Paul is frequently nervous; he is more focused on having fun with her than worrying about having sex with her. At the mid-point in the film, everything seems to be going well: Paul is evolving from his one night stand ways, Noel is breaking out of her shell and everything around them seems to be going their way.

However, Noel is invited to a friend's lakehouse one weekend and the consequences seem to leave all the good times behind. In addition with problems at home (he lives with his mom), Paul seems to have gone back to the culture he thought he left behind: drinking, smoking, and picking up women.

Noel is truly sorry for what happened but insists that she loves Paul. Paul has been very much affected by the truth and seems like all his progress has been wasted. The end result is a unique and thoughtful perspective on what it means to be in love and when the truth is finally revealed.

David Gordon Green is an unbelievable talent. His writing seems to come from within the heart and it feels real, not just some speech written for the screen. I also love Tim Orr's cinematography and the quiet musical score.

Green reminds me of a young Terrence Malick with his soothing voice-over narration and his uncanny ability to provide beautiful scenery, all while telling a rich and engrossing story.