When a Kickstarter campaign was launched two years ago by Belle & Sebastian frontman Stuart Murdoch to crowd fund a feature film, it appeared like a creative art project without much mainstream potential. Featuring several recent Belle & Sebastian songs, the proposed movie musical "God Help the Girl" would be directed by first-time filmmaker Stuart Murdoch, based on his own original screenplay. It all seemed like a long-shot; something audiences never get to see. "God Help the Girl," however, was successfully funded, completed and released, and is an inventive, entertaining piece of cinema.
The movie tells the story of Eve (Emily Browning), a songwriting dreamer who frequently escapes from a Glasgow hospital where she is being treated for anorexia. When she meets James (Olly Alexander), a guitar-playing lifeguard, they become friends and roommates. James teaches music to Cassie (Hannah Murray), and the three form a band dedicated to the joy of pop songs.
What follows is a full on musical, where the characters break into song and dance at random, imaginative moments. As their band struggles to reach an audience, Eve battles her emotional issues and returns to the hospital. She keeps pursuing her goals, submitting demo tapes to the local radio DJs. Ultimately she must decide whether to remain in Scotland with James, or attend music school in London.
Emily Browning is terrific, singing, dancing and demonstrating a wide emotional tenderness. The entire cast is very talented, as they bring an authentic charm to a story that manages to avoid the clichés often expected in the romance genre. Every time you try to anticipate what a character will say or do they surprise with something off the wall.
As expected, the music is excellent. To fans of Belle & Sebastian, many of the songs will be familiar. Yet presented here in an original context, and sung by this cast, the soundtrack is fresh and exciting. The music celebrates all things Pop, and it's hard not to have fun and enjoy the ride.
Credit goes to Mr. Murdoch, for crafting a fun, original film. The cinematography looks beautiful, showcasing Glasgow in a romantic glow. The editing is crisp and the overall style is offbeat nouvelle vague. A very impressive feature film debut for the writer-director-singer-songwriter. Check it out now in theaters or on-demand.
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