Based on Clowes' comic book, this quirky film examines two teen girls coming of age in a very unusual way. Enid (Birch) and Rebecca (Johansson) have sworn off "normalcy" and are trying to make their own way in life. But while Rebecca falls into the more traditional path, Enid fiercely refuses to play along with the rules, causing havoc for her summer art teacher (Douglas) and befriending a nerdy middle-aged jazz record freak (Buscemi). So how long can she hold out against growing up? Or will she plot a new path all her own?

Directed with a real sense of visual assurance by Zwigoff, the film looks great and is full of clever little touches that make it come to life. A warped sense of humour runs like a current through every scene, mostly in Birch's character. But the strongest presence in the film is Johansson, who brings Rebecca to life beautifully, with no affectations or pretensions. Everyone else pretty much seems to be acting--playing a wacky character and thoroughly enjoying it. Birch manages to generate our interest ... we want to know what will happen, but we never really care. Which kind of undermines our ability to identify with her. But there's enough originality and insight to make this worth seeing anyway.

adult themes and situations, language

22.Oct.01