Girl Play
Girl Play
| 11 July 2004 (USA)
Girl Play Trailers

Two real-life lesbian actresses meet by chance when they are cast as lovers in a local stage play, and end up actually falling in love. Robin, who is married to her girlfriend for half a dozen years, and Lacie, someone who never had a lasting relationship, are both cast to play lesbian lovers in a Los Angeles stage play. Innocently, the stage director, Gabriel runs the actresses through a series of rehearsals designed to "bring out the intimacy" in each performer. Soon the two women find themselves increasingly and undeniably attracted to each other and overcome with desire. They must ask themselves whether this relationship is manufactured, created for the sake of the "girl play", or is true love.

Reviews
z-frostbyte

I have to agree with those who believe that the 'good' reviews here come from relatives, friends and colleagues of the women who made this. What I can't understand is why these two real-life women thought their love story was interesting enough to write a play, and then a movie about it. It was like listening to proud parents talk about their gorgeous baby (the one WE know looks like a frog) for 80 minutes. The leads are irritating: Robin (constantly pouting) delivers her lines as though she's performing a high school English oral, whereas Lacy seems to lead with her huge jaw (and drag her knuckles on the ground). The music and flash-backs are as cheesy as they get. The tell-rather-than-show narration does not translate well from the stage, but more importantly, the characters do NOTHING to endear themselves to the viewer. I just didn't CARE. I kept watching only because I'd paid to rent the damn film, but in hindsight that's 80 minutes of my life I can't get back. In short: you know how your best friend spends two hours on the phone telling you (without stopping for breaths) just how greatandsplendidandgorgeousandneat her new girlfriend is? That's what this movie is like. Be warned.

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Bladerunner•

Whoever the "independent critic" was who fawned over this flick and cracked on someone who panned it, they obviously had relationship issues. No relationship, hon??? From a "guy" point of view, this movie is like a "chick flick" on Drano. Imagine all the elements of a whiny, "Joy Luck Club", estrogen-overdose, and then add in grating, abrasive and utterly uninteresting griping (directly into the camera, no less) about one's "partner". There is a gratuitous girl-on-girl scene or two, but the leads are mannish, adult tomboys trying oh-so-desperately to act and sound like street-cool, arty types, with bodies like limp tube-socks, so any appeal from a strictly hedonistic perspective is devoid of any turn-on.I will give it kudos for having the guts to be a bit more realistic in it's physical portrayal of lesbians. Unlike some "lesbian" films (which are little more than soft-core porn for gawking guys) where the women are super-models or Pam Anderson types, the women in this movie reflect a more accurate image of the "average" lesbian. With the exception of one character, the women in this film are of average, or below-average looks, blue-collar body types, and clothing styles like an unmade bed. Mannerisms and body language are truer to form as well, mostly devoid of feminine overtones.Unless you have a burning desire to see the irritating details of a lesbian relationship on the rocks, skip this movie and watch Lost and Delirious instead. Though the women in Lost and Delirious aren't as realistically lesbian "looking", they're waaaaay easier on the eyes, the story is much more interesting (and actually quite touching), and the characters are people you'll actually care about.

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cartercomm

This is a fine, small movie. As a straight man, I honestly had little expectation to enjoy this very much, so I was pleasantly surprised I enjoyed it so much. Usually I go to pictures where things blow up, or something vital is at risk, but I found this funny and not too deep into itself, in other words, I like that they (the actors and film makers) can laugh at themselves, while taking on 'serious' topics, such as relationships, coming out, etc. I want to see it again!I like the intimacy shared by Robin and Lacie, with the audience, I found them both to be engaging and entertaining.While the sound threw me off in couple of spots, (I don't know if it was the theater), the humor was catchy enough to carry me past the little distraction and i found myself laughing out loud throughout the film. All in all, I found it to be Enjoyable.

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fresands2002

I saw this movie at OutFest in Los Angeles and I have to say as one of the few straight white males in the audience I couldn't have been more involved in the "characters" (in quotes since the movie is based on the actresses' life stories) and their stories. The filmmakers have done such a fantastic job of bringing these women's life stories to 'life' on the big screen in a compelling and hysterical way. I found myself laughing uncontrollably at the situations these women find and get themselves into. But, I was also really impressed at how I was able to relate to their lives and saw similarities to things in my own life. It's pretty amazing that no matter what your race, gender or sexual preference there are moments and things we all go through. But, no matter how poignant and real the story was the most important thing for me was how funny it was. Lacie and Robin's situations and stories are just FUNNY AS HELL and the scenes with Dom DeLuise and his assistant are some of the funniest moments I've seen in a movie theater in a long while. Not to give anything away but the scene with Robin and her mom (played terrifically by Mink Stole) was not only real and but absolutely hilarious. I was completely captivated and really loved this movie from start to finish. I can't wait til it comes out in theaters so I can see it again.

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