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Review

While gay and lesbian coming-of-age films seem to be a dime a dozen, this tender drama of a gawky teenager's realization of her lesbianism is far from ordinary. For this independently made film from the Sichel sisters (Alex and Sylvia) wonderfully captures the growing pains of adolescence and the joy, tentativeness and excitement of the protagonist's emerging lesbian identity. Set in New York's Hell's Kitchen area, the story focuses on Claude (Alison Follard) and her best friend Ellen (Tara Subkoff) during the hot summer. Claude feels completely alone, suffering not only from the typical neurocies of adolescence but from her unrequited love for Ellen, who is enthusiastically straight. Moody and uncommunicative, with only the music of Patti Smith to sooth her soul, Claude eventually finds solace with a wannabe riot grrrl and fellow baby dyke Lucy. A story about change, separation and self-discovery that is both knowing and amazingly sensitive. Gay teen actor Wilson Cruz co-stars.