Girl is one of my most favorite films.
Lead actress Dominique Swain was the teen idol of art house/indie cinema in the late ’90s and early 2000s. Though, around this time, I was still becoming aware of her filmography post her role in the buzzy remake of Lolita in 1997.
When I randomly came across Girl on one of the movie channels on cable television, I had missed the first ten minutes, but I kept watching as I knew Swain was in it already and the vibe was immediately cozy. I even sensed that film had a slight bluesy filter to it that was so cool.
And as I kept watching, more and more familiar actresses appeared including Selma Blair, Tara Reid, Portia de Rossi, and faces I recognized, but couldn’t identify by name. (Later, I would know the actors were Summer Phoenix and Christopher Masterson. I especially enjoyed Reid and Phoenix in their supporting roles. I could tell this film was made before Reid was in American Pie and Blair in Cruel Intentions, both of which came out in 1999).
Girl, based on the novel by Blake Nelson, is a classic coming-of-age story starring a teenage girl on the precipice of life beyond her backwater town in Washington state, as she’s been accepted to Brown University in Rhode Island. (At least in the film. I haven’t read the book!)
Before moving across the country, she wants to, for once, live her life to fullest and expand her reach and knowledge past her usual friend group and hobbies, in addition to acknowledging her budding physical desires.
It’s a great film. And while I always held the scene with de Rossi’s character above as one of my faves. It certainly holds more weight as an adult admirer of the film. I first watched Girl when I was in my early teens. It came out 1998. I must’ve seen it in 2000 or 2001.
I can’t recall if I’ve ever saw this video starring Michelle Trachtenberg. She looked so stunning in it! When news was confirmed that she had passed way, back in the spring, I was quite touched by it.
It was such a sad day for her loved ones and our ’90s childhood.
I watched her on Nickelodeon as a kid and saw her in her first lead role as Harriet in Harriet the Spy at the movie theater back in 1996.
❤
This mash-up of Beyonce’s songs “All Night” (the instrumental) with the lyrics of “Tyrant” is so fantastic!
In particular, the part where the below lyrics are illuminated is very moving. The audio has been all over my feed!
Social media users have been using cut as a way to express sorrow, regret, healing, disappointment, realizations, and in memoriam tribute.
One-one-one by one, you hang them high
Your hands are steady and you sleep at night
How did you turn your heart to stone?
I don’t want him back, but I can’t let go
Hangman, answer me now
You owe me a debt, you stole him from me
I hated you once, I envy you now
Just tell me how, tell me how-“Tyrant,” Beyonce and Dolly Parton
Lavish Rebellion [DOT COM] 
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