Girl Asleep

Celebrating the weird, wild and wonderful world of adolescence, Girl Asleep, an enchanting Australian film from 2015, explores the transformational journey of self-discovery in a young girl's life as she leaves childhood behind and treads the path of adolescence. Anchored by a heartwarming performance from Bethany Whitmore, the film also boasts standout roles by Harrison Feldman and Amber McMahon. Combining elements of dreamlike fantasy, exhilarating comedy and heartfelt drama, the film's unique storytelling is sure to leave a lasting impression on the audience.

Girl Asleep opens on shy, almost 15-year-old Greta Driscoll, portrayed by Whitmore in a performance that wonderfully captures the essence of transitional adolescence. We find Greta, a kind-hearted and introverted girl, struggling to navigate her new high school life, her bizarre family dynamics, and the increasing complexities of her own changing world. As Greta stands on the precipice of her 15th birthday, the film explores the monotony, joy, and confusion that come with leaving childhood and stepping into the new realm of adolescence.

Unlike many of her peers, Greta is not in a hurry to grow up and constantly grapples with the discomfort of impending adulthood. She holds on tight to her comfortable childhood, where things make sense and nothing is as terrifyingly incomprehensible as teenage life. Accompanying Greta is her idiosyncratic best friend, Elliot, portrayed brilliantly by Feldman, who brings a refreshing candor and charming humor to the cast.

Just when Greta hopes for a quiet birthday celebration, her vivacious, eccentric mother, played by McMahon, decides to throw a surprise 15th birthday party for her. With an unanticipated and bizarre party, guests she barely knows, and riding the tidal wave of teenage awkwardness, Greta's life takes an exciting, uncertain turn.

Directed by Rosemary Myers, Girl Asleep beautifully illustrates the bewildering time of adolescence, the shocks this transition can bring and the paradoxical mix of excruciating embarrassment and profound fascination with the new and unknown world. The film takes a deep dive into Greta’s colorful and imaginative mind, using the intriguing blend of reality and fantasy to elegantly navigate the throes of Greta's growing pains.

Visually, the film is a triumph. It deploys a retro 1970s aesthetic throughout, bringing the period to life with vibrant colors, costuming, and set designs that feed into the overall surrealistic atmosphere. The film's dream-like sequences, with their fairy tale-like construct, further enhances the whimsical world of Girl Asleep. It aids viewers in fully immersing into the deeper, more figurative aspects of the plot, that richly explore the bewilderment of transitioning from childhood to teenage years.

The film’s tone balances well between drama and comedy, and despite its fantasy elements, the narrative stays grounded in the raw and real emotions of the characters. Beyond its primary focus on Greta’s transformation, the film also critiques societal norms, gender roles, sibling rivalry, and the impact of family dynamics on adolescence. The plot isn’t driven by high-octane action or thrilling suspense but by quieter, whimsically rebellious moments that cumulatively create a surreal spin on the regular coming-of-age narrative.

Bethany Whitmore impresses with her portrayal of Greta, embodying all the uncertainties, fears, and hopes of a girl hesitantly stepping into adolescence. Harrison Feldman provides an excellent performance as the loyal yet quirky best friend and sidekick to Whitmore's Greta. McMahon, as Greta’s mother, is both funny and touching, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of an enthusiastic and well-meaning, if a little clueless, parent trying her best to navigate her daughter through troubling times.

In summation, Girl Asleep is a visually striking, thoughtfully crafted coming-of-age tale that charmingly captures the essence of adolescence. With its intricate exploration of human emotions, the film successfully encapsulates the turmoil and beauty of the precipice of adulthood. The powerful performances by the lead actors, the visually pleasing aesthetics, and the creative storytelling make Girl Asleep a cinematic delight worth viewing. The film is a poignant, humorous, and dreamlike journey through the labyrinth of adolescence - an honest, imaginative, and highly original teenage tale.