This quirky coming of age story marks the emergence of an Liane Balaban, but the film never reaches it full potential.

Girls coming of age

The very best films about the all-important, tumultuous friendships between young women.

A review of "My Life As A Dog" by Marcy Dermansky

Abbie Cornish was twenty-one when she took on the role of sixteen year old Heidi in Cate Shortland's coming of age drama [i]Somersault[/i]. Often, she seems even younger. Filmed in a wispy blue light, the baby-faced blond instinctively uses sex as a

Michael Cuesta, who explored a painful sexual awakening in L.I.E., seems to have deep insight into youth. "12 and Holding" follows the stories of three twelve-year olds forced to recognize their own mortality. The ensemble cast features newcomers Con

Directed by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud, the gorgeous adaption of Satrapi’s graphic novels packs an enormous emotional wallop. In black-and-white animation, "Persepolis" depicts Satrapi's own painful coming of age in Iran during the Islami

Actor Richard Grant's directorial debut film is guilty of numerous crimes: sweeping theme music, meaningful close-ups, endless sunsets, and a boatload of quirky supporting characters who fail to entertain. Emily Watson, Miranda Richardson, Gabriel By

Stoner jokers, coming of age in Italy, and a gorgeous Benetton ad in space--it's a great week for new DVD releases. Make sure to check out Greg Araki's hilarious comedy "Smiley Face" starring the fearlessly funny Anna Faris. Also: "Caterina in the Bi

Directed by James Ponsoldt and starring Nick Nolte, Trevor Morgan, Timothy Hutton and Sally Kirkland, OFF THE BLACK is a coming-of-age story of teenager Dave Tibbel (Morgan) who copes with his own distant father (Hutton) by forming an unlikely friend