Girl reviews: What do critics say about Lukas Dhont ballet movie?

Girl tells the story of 15-year-old Lara who wants to become a ballerina, with a classical training for female dancers. Lara is accepted into a ballet school and her dream seems closer than ever. But there is one problem: Lara was born into the body of a boy. A body that she will push to its limits in order for her to succeed.

What do critics say about Girl?

Girl has a respectable 86 percent on the reviews aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

Rotten Tomatoes’ critics’ consensus reads: “Girl uses one aspiring dancer’s story as the framework for a poignant drama that approaches its difficult themes with fittingly alluring grace.”

Some of the criticism levied at the film stems from its depiction of the trans experience.

But director Lukas Dhont has defended his film as has the trans-woman with whom he worked closely to bring it to fruition.

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Peter Bradshaw for the Guardian:

The sheer sustained intensity of the drama and performances carry it through.

Kimber Myers for the Los Angeles Times:

It feels exploitative, rather than empathetic. But it’s the irresponsible handling of the film’s final, shocking scenes that is the most problematic.

Bob Mondello for NPR:

Where most queer films are about external conflicts and prejudice, Lara’s primary conflict in this movie is with what she sees in the mirror.

Gary M. Kramer for Salon.com:

Dhost’s nonjudgmental film doesn’t traverse new territory for a trans film, and it features too much dancing, but it benefits from its authenticity.

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David Ehrlich for indieWire:

This isn’t just a trans story — it’s also a broader story of becoming, and the bold steps required to get there.

Boyd van Hoeij for the Hollywood Reporter:

Looks terrific, is not afraid to tackle a number of difficult subjects and features a star-making performance from acting and dancing talent Victor Polster.

Peter Debruge for Variety:

How to stand out and blend in at the same time? Few films convey that tension better than “Girl,” a deeply humane first feature from Belgian director Lukas Dhont about a transgender teen who wants to be a ballerina.

Nigel Andrews for the Financial Times:

Many dreams, Dhont suggests, come with nightmares attached – by society, by biology or even by the individual’s own insurgent fears and qualms.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh for Metro:

Given the current controversy about transgender women in sport, it’s certainly timely.

David Jenkins for Little White Lies:

A film which reminds us that nuance and representation matters.

Nicholas Barber for BBC.com:

One of the most agonisingly well-observed films about being an adolescent that I’ve ever seen.

Wendy Ide for Screen International:

An assured and empathetic feature debut, Lukas Dhont’s Girl uses the discipline and rigour of ballet training to explore the journey of a transgender teenager and her relationship with her body.

Girl is out in cinemas on March 15, 2019.