Review of Ginger & Rosa (2012) by Josanne F — 10 Apr 2013

"Ginger & Rosa" manages articulate, subtle & great performances despite a story that borders on melodrama.

The highlight of this coming-of-age drama is the acting - notably the intricate and controlled Elle Fanning. Everything she conveys with her observant/aware glances and reality-denying smile are just as critical as what she chooses to wisely underplay. Fanning proves that a character who has a minimal amount of dialogue can say volumes. She is surrounded by a very solid cast that maintains nuanced performances from beginning to end.

The script is a superb example of storytelling with minimal exposition: instead of just stating how similar Ginger and Rosa are in the beginning, the film shows how close these lifelong friends are: they finish each other's sentences, they share intimidate experiences and appear as if soul mates. Film is a visual medium - where dialogue isn't absolutely critical to convey how plot unfolds.

The fatal flaws, however, are the film's overbearing reliance on the Cold War thread and a plot that drifts toward melodrama. The threat of nuclear war, to instill a sense of dread and mortality, is undermined by a constant reminder of nukes. Drinking a shot every time "we could all die tomorrow" is repeated would make for a terrible hangover the morning after watching this film. For a film that deals with political/social/sexual maturation, it is unfortunate for this story's reliance on broad/over dramatic plot points that feel out of place for a thoughtful indie film and more appropriate for a CW series.

Overall "Ginger & Rosa" is a potentially beautiful film about two childhood friends growing apart as they grow into women - but unfortunately, instead of feeling like a timeless story, this film feels very confined to a very specific era.