God Help The Girl – Overview/ Review (with Spoilers)

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Overview

As the summer of 2014 comes to an end, one last coming of age story is released to top the season off.

Review (with Spoilers)

After Plush, I must admit the idea of Emily Browning playing the role of a musician wasn’t a horrible idea. Especially since Skins alumni Hannah Murrah and Olly Alexander are in it. Though with God Help the Girl not having original music, but that of Stuart Murdoch’s past work, it does lead you to question if whether this would become another Jack and the Cuckoo-Clock Heart or Sunshine on Leith?

Characters & Story

A young girl, a few years out of high school, named Eve (Emily Browning) we meet as she is recovering from anorexia. She seems friendless, her parents never visit, and what lead to her having anorexia isn’t explored too much. However, as she recovers she finds she has a talent for writing music. So, upon one of her escapes from the hospital, she asks this singer named Anton (Pierre Boulanger) to give her music to this local DJ.

But while her first demo is surely something interesting, it is the music she makes with the sort of failed musician James (Olly Alexander) and Cass (Hannah Murray) which is what the film focuses on. For as James and Eve grow close, and Cass is invited along for the ride, you get a nice fluffy film in which we listen to songs dealing with everyday life sometimes spiced with what the members of the cast are going through. All the while, James falls in love with Eve and she finds him to be the one who helps establish the foundation she needs to perhaps pursue music officially. However, when the summer is over, and with Eve feeling well enough to go to college, will their friendship, band, and possible romance end, or is what we see only just the beginning?

Praise

There is so much worth praising in the film. Whether it is things like the costume design, the cute choreography during the songs, or even the songs themselves, there is so much to cover before even talking about the story. Now, to begin with the attire, most of the clothes seem straight out of a Skins episode and really help push the idea that God Help The Girl is a cute little indie band which has a few quirks and a huge reason to be desirable. For while, officially, they only perform one show in the movie, throughout the film we get to see them do almost mini-music videos which show off their quirky style and are choreographed in such a way which will likely remind you of some indie pop group you found out about in your teens which you used to, or still do, obsess over.

Then, when it comes to the songs, I must admit I only liked around 85% of the soundtrack. And while some songs aren’t loved right off the bat, they do grow on you and the film has a nice progression where most of the 15% which I didn’t think were good were only in the beginning. Making it feel that as  Eve became a better songwriter and the band became a more cohesive unit, you witness the songs becoming better and better.

Leaving the story for the last bit of praise. Now, despite Eve dealing with anorexia, there isn’t a heavy-handed approach to the subject matter. It is more treated as a private struggle than something all consuming. Which isn’t to say they make light of the matter, nor is it not a struggle for her featured throughout the film, but what I wish to say is that it isn’t the sole thing noted about her character. If anything, it is what helps push her out of her hospital bed and into meeting James and eventually Cass. And with Eve and James’ relationship, there are so many cute moments which truly make you swoon, giggle and so badly hope they last forever. Also, to my surprise, while there is quirkiness, and a cute little romance, there are also multiple moments which will make you laugh. Not as much as if this movie was a comedy, but enough to keep you smiling between songs.

Criticism

When it comes to issues with the film, honestly the sole issue I can find is that it feels like we don’t get to know the past of any of the characters that well. We get little tidbits of information so that we know they didn’t just appear out of thin air, but with Eve having anorexia, and seemingly having quite a life before we met her, it does make you curious to learn more of her backstory. Then, as for James and Cass, I wanted to learn more about them since both of their lives, outside of anything dealing with Eve, isn’t explored. To the point where honestly you end up feeling like you barely got to know them at all.

Overall: Worth Seeing

It seems less and less that I watch something Worth Seeing. However, God Help The Girl is definitely a worth seeing film, though admittedly I thought it would be TV Viewing at first. But with it getting better over time, honestly, I am left hoping there is a sequel as much as I wish this was a mini-series. Especially since the main negative thing about the film is that we don’t get to know much about the characters’ lives before the band, and hardly get to know James and Cass at all. Though with good music, an overall cute story, and it leaving you wanting more, the little bit of negatives certainly don’t outweigh the positives. Leading me to say that you should certainly see God Help The Girl, perhaps buy the soundtrack and definitely share it with your friends!

Collected Quote(s)

“I don’t mind people, I just can’t stand collective idiocy.”

— God Help the Girl