God Help The Girl: cuter than a penguin in a pinafore

I just couldn’t resist watching God Help The Girl. I was a crazy Belle and Sebastian fan growing up. Everything about the trailer of this movie spoke to 17-year-old me, even if cynical, jaded 27-year-old me scoffed.

It's the first film of Belle and Sebastian lead man Stuart Murdoch, and, as expected, it is fucking twee as fuck. There's no way around it. But there’s a bit of me that loves this shit, and if there’s a bit of you that loves it too, you’ll find this movie delightful.

The film tells the story of Eve (Emily Browning). a fragrant and troubled girl who escapes (worryingly easily, twice) from a mental hospital. She meets a delicate quivering flower of a man called James who falls for her, gets her to move in, and gets immediately friend zoned.

Eve wants to be a songwriter, and while trying to get her cassette to DJ Findlay (BBC6’s Mark Radcliffe!) meets a sleazy but sexy French rocker. French rocker and whimsical waif James patronise talented Eve in various ways, while vying for her affections.

We also meet Cass (Cassie from Skins!) who was honestly made to be in this movie. James, Cass and Eve start a band. They swan around and do whimsical things like canoeing in outfits that make mid noughties me ache in envy. They make super 8 films where they frolic to mournful piano music and fake sword fight with nifty umbrellas.

There are many lovely musical numbers, all taken from Stuart’s 2009 side project of the same name. The music pulls this otherwise very long and slightly silly film together. The things that I have always loved about Belle and Sebastian a present: wry, dark lyrics coupled with super sunny melodies.

Style wise it feels like Stuart Murdoch has binged watched every French new wave film and plopped them upon an unnaturally sunny Glasgow. I know it sounds like I'm bitching but it's really delightful. The effect was like a more emotional, much, much longer version of my favorite Flight of the Concords tune Fou De Fafa.

Its seems to be set in contemporary time but of course no one has a phone. They have to communicate with each other in adorable but impractical ways like sending dogs to fetch their friends. It doesn’t make sense, but its cute so fuck it.

I enjoyed this movie, but it occurred to me I have rarely seen a film I’m sure will polarize audiences so enormously. If, like me, you ever had a fondness for whimsical hats, late 90’s indie pop, and Wes Anderson you will probably enjoy. If even mention of those things makes you nauseous, then stay the fuck away. This movie could and probably will send you into a murderous rage.

First published on strongfemalelead.wordpress.com