Review of The Exploding Girl (2010) by Karen A — 28 Feb 2011

Nobody I know will like this movie; but there is nothing wrong with it. It is slow, ponderous and minimalist and I doubt there is enough action or dialogue to please those I know. Saying that, Zoe Kazan (Revolutionary Road, In the Valley of Elah, It's Complicated) gives a remarkably under-stated performance as college student, Ivy, returning home to Brooklyn for Spring Break.

During this week, the young woman evaluates the relationships in her life including the one with her college boyfriend who has returned to his hometown for the break (and so their only contact is by their cellphones) and that of her steady guy-friend since high school, Al, who is also back in Brooklyn for his Spring Break.

Ivy is an epileptic on daily medication; but this isn't highly apparent in the film -- we are just warned of it. Ivy and Al spend most of their time together walking the streets of NYC, setting on rooftops or attending fellow friends' parties.

The Exploding Girl is a good, quiet little film; but there is nothing surprising here. If there were more films like this, one could say it is formulaic; but since there aren't I cannot say that .

.. although some plot developments aren't in the least bit surprising. With a running time of just under 80 minutes, there isn't a whole lot here; but Kazan makes the most of it -- I believe she'll be one to watch as her resume is already impressive.

To show how minimalist it actually is -- the films most beautiful scene is simply one of a flock of flying pigeons over the city skyline. There is beauty in the small things ... such as The Exploding Girl.