If I was a bit younger...

MrGKB

...I'd officially be a Juno "Atonement" Temple groupie, and "Dirty Girl" pretty much sealed that deal for me after having recently enjoyed her work in "Cracks" and "Killer Joe," wherein I first encountered her. If she keeps up the pace, she's bound to be a mega-star by her 30s, and even if she doesn't make those lofty heights, she'll still be one of the finest actors of her generation. I can't emphasize enough just how good I think this young lady is; without question, she lifts "Dirty Girl" from the ranks of the almost ho-hum into the realm of remarkably watchable.

Admittedly, the supporting cast is strong, too, ranging from the likes of Dwight "Panic Room" Yoakum, Milla "The Fifth Element" Jovovich (cast against type), and a wonderfully nuanced Mary "Ragtime" Steenburgen to brief appearances from William H. "Is there anything I can't do?" Macy and a surprisingly effective Tim "Friday Night Lights" McGraw. As well, Temple's co-star, Jeremy "This is my calling card!" Dozier really impresses as Temple's conflicted fellow traveler; I'll be looking for his next venture, "Rock, Paper, Scissors," on video release with great interest.

All that said, "Dirty Girl" will admittedly not appeal to those viewers with various hangups, mostly concerning homosexuality, promiscuity, parental malfeasance, and the ofttimes grating nature of 80s music. I do not recommend this film to those folks. But if your social mores tend toward the liberal, you could do worse than enjoy a picaresque road movie that careens merrily along, veering from modern fairy tale (pun not intended) to almost comic-booky satire, much along the lines of films like "Freeway" with Reese Witherspoon, without the darker edges. It's bawdy fun with a soft heart, and besides, how could you not like a flour-sack baby with an expressive face? This maiden effort from writer/director Abe "Nurse Jackie" Sylvia certainly ought to lead to greater things if there's any justice in the world.

score 7/10

MrGKB 22 July 2013

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw2837068/