Tomboy

“Grade: A-. A phenomenally unguarded lead performance…a light, touching portrait of early sexual awakening.” –indieWIRE

A French family with two daughters, 10-year-old Laure and 6-year-old Jeanne, moves to a new suburban neighborhood during the summer holidays. With her Jean Seberg haircut and tomboy ways, Laure is immediately mistaken for a boy by the local kids. She decides to pass herself off as “Mikael,” a boy different enough to catch the attention of leader-of-the-pack Lisa, who becomes smitten. At home with her parents and kid sister, she is Laure; hanging out with her new pals and girlfriend, she is Mikael. Céline Sciamma, who directed the memorable Water Lilies, brings a light and charming touch to this contemporary coming-of-age story, which is also about complex relationships between children, and between children and parents—and the even more complicated one between one’s heart and body. (82 mins., 35mm)