Based purely on the title you could assume that this is the sequel to Richard Linklater’s Boyhood, a movie which personally didn’t move me as much as it seems to have done to other reviewers. Besides the title though, this movie doesn’t have many similarities. Girlhood is set in France and follows sixteen-year-old Marieme (Karidja Touré).
She’s someone who doesn’t stand out, is quiet and takes care of her younger sisters at home. When she decides to join a group consisting of three other girls she starts changing. At school they threaten others to get their money, go to shopping malls and steal clothing and use the money to rent a hotel room to party. Marieme starts to dress differently, act another way and decides to no longer listen to her older brother. It’s a path where she discovers more about herself, but which also has some darker sides.
Director and writer Céline Sciamma frames the story of Marieme beautifully and leaves enough room for the viewer to get to know the characters. Marieme is pulled into a life where she finally feels appreciated, where she has power and wild out, as is shown in a memorable scene during which the girls are singing Rihanna’s Diamonds. With its running time of almost two hours this movie might be a bit too long for some, but personally I would rather watch this movie again instead of the slow (and pretty boring) Boyhood. It succeeds in capturing those moments in someone’s life which will shape their future.
To me, the story had the fingerprints of a female writer/director all over it, every scene feels like it could happen in real life.