“Dirty Girl” — “Elvira” by The Oak Ridge Boys was a hit in 1981. Pat Benatar’s “Shadows of the Night” came out in 1982. “Lovergirl” was a hugely popular song for Teena Marie in 1985. And “I Can’t Wait” by Nu Shooz was all over the radio in 1986. Why does this matter? Because these are among the many songs that appear prominently in a movie that’s set in 1987. And yes, we’re being nitpicky, but the soundtrack calls such attention to itself — and is so distractingly off in a movie that’s trying to capture an exact moment in time — that it’s a reflection of how scattershot the film is as a whole. And given that first-time writer-director Abe Sylvia is a former Broadway dancer and choreographer, and that he cast not one but two country superstars in crucial supporting roles, music is obviously very important to him. Sylvia does infuse his film with a flamboyantly cheeky theatricality, from the opening titles to the obligatory road-trip sing-along. But this vibe contrasts jarringly with the film’s more earnest coming-of-age moments, as two teenage misfits find confidence in their unexpected new friendship. Juno Temple seems game for anything, though, in the title role. She plays Danielle, the most notoriously promiscuous student at her Norman, Okla., high school, whose rebellious ways land her in a remedial class. There, she’s forced to team up on a parenting project with the chubby, closeted Clarke (newcomer Jeremy Dozier). Both have daddy issues, which prompts them to hop in a car and drive to Fresno, Calif. R for sexual content including graphic nudity, and for language. 89 minutes. Two stars out of four. —Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
Capsule review: ‘Dirty Girl’
“Dirty Girl” — “Elvira” by The Oak Ridge Boys was a hit in 1981. Pat Benatar’s “Shadows of the Night” came out in 1982. “Lovergirl” was a hugely popular song for Teena Marie in 1985. And “I Can’t Wait” by Nu Shooz was all over the radio in 1986. Why does this matter? Because these are among the many songs that appear prominently in a movie that’s set in 1987. And yes, we’re being nitpicky, but the soundtrack calls such attention to itself — and is so distractingly off in a movie that’s trying to capture an exact moment in time — that it’s a reflection of how scattershot the film is as a whole. And given that first-time writer-director Abe Sylvia is a former Broadway dancer and choreographer, and that he cast not one but two country superstars in crucial supporting roles, music is obviously very important to him. Sylvia does infuse his film with a flamboyantly cheeky theatricality, from the opening titles to the obligatory road-trip sing-along. But this vibe contrasts jarringly with the film’s more earnest coming-of-age moments, as two teenage misfits find confidence in their unexpected new friendship. Juno Temple seems game for anything, though, in the title role. She plays Danielle, the most notoriously promiscuous student at her Norman, Okla., high school, whose rebellious ways land her in a remedial class. There, she’s forced to team up on a parenting project with the chubby, closeted Clarke (newcomer Jeremy Dozier). Both have daddy issues, which prompts them to hop in a car and drive to Fresno, Calif. R for sexual content including graphic nudity, and for language. 89 minutes. Two stars out of four. —Christy Lemire, AP Movie Critic
Silver Screening Reviews 