I grew up around musicals – after all, I was raised by two Jewish parents from New York City. As such, I have a healthy appreciation for the stage. For whatever reason though, musical films aren’t really my thing. Of course there are a select few I love – my favorite being John Waters’ campy “Cry Baby” of course – but when I hear a new musical film is out, I don’t exactly jump out of my seat and run to the nearest movie theatre. Which is why I was relatively reluctant to watch “God Help the Girl.” But with a soundtrack consisting solely of Belle & Sebastian songs, the main cast being made up of Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, and Hannah Murray, and that fact that my dinner was getting cold as I was indecisively trying to decide to watch on netflix, I thought, “what the hell.”

“God Help the Girl” is a 2014 British musical drama film that was written and directed by Stuart Murdoch (the lead singer and songwriter of Belle & Sebastian). The film came about following a Kickstarter campaign to turn songs from the album “God Help the Girl,” into a film. The songs from the album feature female vocalists singing about the problems encountered during the transition from childhood to adulthood.

These songs are used to tell the story of a girl called Eve, who has high hopes of becoming a musician. After leaving the psychiatric hospital, where she has been staying due to her anorexia nervosa and depression, she meets another aspiring musician, James, who works as a lifeguard during the day. James then introduces Eve to his music student Cassie, and the three eventually form a band. The film also explores James’ attraction towards Eve as well as Eve’s own adventure into love and romance.

Although the plot’s film is weak at times and the songs do not always fully match with the scenes, the film itself is whimsical and beautiful, which is where much of the film’s merits can be found. There are times when the film feels a bit too stylized and try-hard. Eve’s character also sometimes comes across as a superficial re-incarnation of Angela from Godard’s “Une femme est une femme” in the musical numbers. Although this self-assured confidence and effortless whimsy seems slightly incongruent with a girl who is meant to be vulnerable and unstable, both mentally and emotionally, many of the musical sequences take place in the fantasies of its characters’ minds. This makes Eve’s depictions in these musical numbers legitimate, as she is actually a representation of the idealized Eve that both Eve has about herself and James dreams about.

As you can see, the film has it’s fair share of problems, which has gotten me thinking, why the hell am I recommending it to you? But weaknesses aside, the cinematography, wardrobe, and soundtrack was pretty ace. The on-screen chemistry between Browning, Alexander, and Murray also made this film fun to watch. If you are a fan of Wes Anderson, Anna Karina, the 60s, and are able to look past a flawed storyline and slow pacing in favor of a film’s atmosphere and cinematography, you are bound to enjoy this film as well. Because to be honest, there isn’t a damned thing wrong with watching and loving a film solely for it’s cinematographic merit.


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Rae Tilly

Rae the EIC of LFB and YEOJA Magazine. She is also a photographer and social media influencer.

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  • Jenna Opsahl

    I have been meaning to watch this! The record store that my boyfriend works at hosted a signing with Stuart and Emily to promote the movie. With a soundtrack of just Belle and Sebastian, it sounds amazing. I could kind of guess there would be some frustrating things about the plot, but it just looks so pretty.

    xx
    scarlettandgiselle.blogspot.com

    • rae

      Def. think you would like it then!

  • I love musicals and often find myself not knowing what to watch on Netflix so thanks for the recommendation!

    Tina
    http://www.justatinabit.com

    • rae

      no problem!

  • i do love a good musical! i’ll have to check this one out:-) x

  • Musicals rock. It took me awhile to love them tho. Thanks for sharing and Happy Monday!

    Eye See Euphoria : http://eyeseeeuphoria.com/post/paparazzi-saturdays-9

  • Susan Dollparts

    I kinda hate music films but… Belle & Sebastian?!?! And one of my fav actresses? I´m in :D

    dresses-and-travels //@susandollparts

  • Nancy Wilde

    musical films aren’t my cup of tea either, apart from Velvet Goldmine <3 and Chicago (Zeta-Jones looks stunning in those gowns). Wardrobe in this one looks nice though, it's been on my MUBI to-watch list for a while, mostly because of its Scottish roots. Anything from Glasgow or Edinburgh must be watched! xx

  • Ladies imagination

    Awesome blog and amazing photos! :)
    Visit us: http://www.ladiesimagination.blogspot.com

  • Patricija

    I saw this movie in the cinema and I have to admit I had much higher hopes for it. But what made it special is that it was filmed in Glasgow and it was so nice to see all these familiar streets and corners on the screen!

    I think actors are very charming too :)

    Patricija xxx
    http://shelivesinglasgow.blogspot.co.uk/

  • I love musicals, so of course I was going to watch this one. I liked it but it’s not one that I’d watch again. I agree with pretty much everything you had to say, plus I had a hard time watching this girl dressing up as if she were 12. Little things that end up bothering you, I guess. I did love Emily’s singing, though. I thought it was a charming film, but that’s about it.

    (Thanks for visiting my blog! I’ve been browing yours for the past hour.)

    • rae

      Hi Natalia,

      I am glad you enjoyed it, but I agree as well – it’s definitely not one I would watch again but I am glad to say that I have seen it and I still love the three main actors in the film. And of course, you have a lovely blog, and I am really glad you are enjoying mine!

  • I still love this movie in spite of its flaws! I can understand what Murdoch was going for in his characters and atmosphere and musical numbers I believe in that even though it wasn’t fully realised on screen. I listen to the soundtrack nearly every day.

    http://insidesai.blogspot.co.uk/