Very Good Girls - DVD

Film: Lilly (Dakota Fanning) and Gerri (Elizabeth Olsen) are best friends. They tell each other everything and give each other support during difficult times - just the way best friends do. But they know that their carefree youth is now over with the upcoming time in college and that they have to slowly grow up. Therefore, they want to enjoy this last summer together in New York to the fullest and experience something very special. But then the young artist David (Boyd Holbrook) enters their lives and turns both girls' heads. And suddenly the friendship, which until now seemed to be unbreakable, threatens to break all at once.

Very Good Girls is a very quiet youth drama about the close friendship of two girls, which is put to the test by the first love and the impending end of their school days together. On the cusp of adulthood, Lilly and Gerri go through some changes that their friendship struggles to withstand. With a sensitive hand, director Naomi Foner traces the events of the fateful summer that marks the turning point in the girls' lives. The fine acting of the two lead actresses is immersed in very atmospheric images of New York, which create quite an authentic-looking look at life in the city.

The story is told in a very restrained manner. Although there are some dramatic events, the very big emotional climaxes are missing. The events ripple along a bit, causing some minor longueurs. But the atmospheric staging and the fitting soundtrack can counteract that a bit. And also the very well chosen supporting cast, which besides Ellen Barkin and Demi Moore also includes the wonderful Richard Dreyfuss, make sure that the film remains well worth watching even in its more languid moments.

Very Good Girls is a really successful drama especially for girls who don't want to be served the usual teen fare and want to see a really nice story about a very special friendship. Even if a little more speed would have done some scenes good, the overall impression is still positive. A small but fine film, which has earned a clear worth seeing for its target audience.

Picture + Sound: The visual realization on the DVD is not spectacular, but absolutely satisfactory. The picture is absolutely clean, the coloration is coherent and the detail sharpness is also at a good level, especially in the bright moments. As for the sound, for a quiet film like this, you can't expect a big sound firework. However, the good mixing of the dialogue and the soundtrack as well as the atmospheric ambient sounds of New York make for a positive overall impression. Good! One more note: Although a DTS track is indicated on the cover, the sound is only available as a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in both German and English.

Extras: In addition to the trailer in German and in English, the DVD has promo interviews with Dakota Fanning (approx. 15:19 min.), Elizabeth Olsen (approx. 15:58 min.), director Naomi Foner (approx. 12:16 min.), as well as with the two leading actresses together (approx. 8:38 min.) to offer. However, no subtitles are available for these interviews, some of which are quite revealing.

Conclusion: Very Good Girls is an entertaining teen drama about friendship, first love, and the difficult step across the threshold of adulthood. Screenwriter Naomi Foner's directorial debut is presented on DVD in atmospheric picture and sound quality. The bonus material is not spectacular, but also not entirely uninteresting. Especially for girls around 16 years quite recommendable!

An article by Frankfurt-Tipp