Watch The Exploding Girl

The Exploding Girl is a drama film directed by Bradley Rust Gray, released in 2009, starring Zoe Kazan, Mark Rendall, and Maryann Urbano. The movie is a slice-of-life story that follows the life of Ivy, played by Zoe Kazan, a young college student whose life is in a state of flux. The film captures Ivy's summer vacation as she returns home to New York City after her freshman year in college.

Ivy returns home to spend the summer with her mother and her childhood friend Al. However, she is faced with a challenging and confusing period in her life, where she must navigate her feelings about her ex-boyfriend and her growing emotions for her friend Al. Throughout the movie, we see her struggling to find balance in her relationships and her life while dealing with her epilepsy.

The film explores the complexities of friendship, family, and love in a way that is both subtle and realistic. The portrayal of Ivy's life is an honest take on being a young adult and dealing with the challenges of adolescence. Ivy is shown making mistakes, questioning her choices, and taking risks, all while exploring and discovering who she is as a person.

One of the film's most potent themes is Ivy’s epilepsy. It's a central aspect of her life, and we see her navigate the challenges of living with epilepsy while trying to maintain a kind of normalcy in her life. The film does an excellent job of depicting the uncertainty and fear that comes with having this condition.

The movie has a unique, understated feel, with long pauses and silent contemplative moments, which serves to emphasize the main character's emotions and inner turmoil. The cinematography, score, and direction all complement each other, creating an atmosphere of intimacy and honesty that runs throughout the film.

The performances in The Exploding Girl are commendable. Zoe Kazan delivers an excellent performance as Ivy, bringing depth and nuance to her portrayal of a conflicted and emotional character. Her relationship with Al, played by Mark Rendall, is nuanced and complex, and the chemistry between the two actors is undeniable.

Maryann Urbano, who plays Ivy's mother, is also impressive in her role. Her character provides an anchor to Ivy while also representing the constant push-and-pull of family relationships. Urbano’s performance has a subdued quality that is a perfect match for the movie's tone.

Overall, The Exploding Girl is a beautifully crafted film that accurately captures the unique transitional period of a young adult's life. It is a character-driven story that demonstrates the trials and tribulations of growing up. The issues dealt with in the movie are universal and relatable, making it a film that everyone can connect with on some level. Although necessary to pay close attention to the story, the film is a compelling watch, and it will leave you with profound thoughts.

The Exploding Girl is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2 and a MetaScore of 69.