The Plot: Based on Phoebe Gloeckner's 2002 graphic novel, we follow 15-year-old Minnie (Bel Powley) during her sexual awakening in the mid-1970s, as she embarks on an affair with her mother's boyfriend, Monroe (Alexander Skarsgård). Why It's Awesome: Marielle Heller's startling debut is about as up-front about young sexuality as cinema is likely to get, and as such won't be for everyone, but girded by an excellent performance from rising star Powley, is one of 2015's very best coming-of-age films. Sticking on the right side of quirky and managing to mine plenty of humanity out of its situation (particularly as it pertains to Skarsgard's potentially lechy character), the film defers judgment in favour of a fly-on-the-wall approach that's so much more satisfying. Though Powley is a revelation here, Skarsgard also holds his own well, and Kristen Wiig is solid in a small role as Minnie's mother.
Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes).
General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.
