Girlfriends

Directed by Claudia Weill and written by Vicki Polon, Girlfriends follows twentysomething New Yorker Susan Weinblatt (Melanie Mayron) as she attempts to cope with living alone after the sudden departure of her roommate (Anita Skinner’s Anne). It’s a low-key premise that’s employed to consistently subdued effect by Weill and Polon, with the unapologetically episodic structure, which admittedly complements Polon’s observant screenplay, preventing the viewer from wholeheartedly embracing the less-than-captivating narrative. There’s little doubt, however, that Girlfriends benefits substantially from Mayron’s incredibly appealing lead performance, as the actress delivers an open, warm-hearted turn that ensures Susan remains a completely sympathetic figure from beginning to end. The heavy emphasis on the protagonist’s day-to-day endeavors results in a palpably authentic feel, to be sure, and yet it’s difficult not to register a marked sense of disappointment by the film’s inability to capture one’s interest. It is, in the end, clear that Girlfriends functions best as a snapshot of its time and as a showcase for Mayron’s captivating work, with the very specific character-study vibe sure to allow certain viewers to overlook the film’s various issues (ie if one relates to the central character, one will surely find more here to embrace than most).

**1/2 out of ****