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The Holy Girl (2004)

The Holy Girl (2004)
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Lucrecia Martel directed this potent drama of love, sex, misunderstanding, and coming-of-age. Amalia (María Alche) is a girl edging into her early teens who has begun to ripen into adulthood. Amalia lives in a big hotel owned and operated by her divorced mother, Helena (Mercedes Morán), and her uncle Freddy (Alejandro Urdapilleta). Amalia and her best friend, Josefina (Julieta Zylberberg), are becoming increasingly aware of their own desires and are curious about sex, but between their Catholic education and Helena's unwillingness to discuss such matters with her daughter, their speculation outstrips their actual knowledge. A convention for medical workers brings Dr. Jano (Carlos Belloso) and a number of his colleagues to the hotel. Emboldened by the festive atmosphere, the timid doctor presses his body up against Amalia's, unaware of her age. The married Dr. Jano is embarrassed by his actions and troubled by his strong attraction to Helena; Amalia, meanwhile, is convinced the doctor has become overcome with unholy lust, and she and Josefina take it upon themselves to save him from himself before it is too late. La Niña Santa (aka The Holy Child) was produced in part by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Mercedes MoránCarlos Belloso, (more)
Director(s):
Lucrecia Martel
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of The Holy Girl

Lucrecia Martel directed this potent drama of love, sex, misunderstanding, and coming-of-age. Amalia (María Alche) is a girl edging into her early teens who has begun to ripen into adulthood. Amalia lives in a big hotel owned and operated by her divorced mother, Helena (Mercedes Morán), and her uncle Freddy (Alejandro Urdapilleta). Amalia and her best friend, Josefina (Julieta Zylberberg), are becoming increasingly aware of their own desires and are curious about sex, but between their Catholic education and Helena's unwillingness to discuss such matters with her daughter, their speculation outstrips their actual knowledge. A convention for medical workers brings Dr. Jano (Carlos Belloso) and a number of his colleagues to the hotel. Emboldened by the festive atmosphere, the timid doctor presses his body up against Amalia's, unaware of her age. The married Dr. Jano is embarrassed by his actions and troubled by his strong attraction to Helena; Amalia, meanwhile, is convinced the doctor has become overcome with unholy lust, and she and Josefina take it upon themselves to save him from himself before it is too late. La Niña Santa (aka The Holy Child) was produced in part by internationally acclaimed filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
104 mins

Complete Cast of The Holy Girl


Director(s):
Lucrecia Martel
Writer(s):
Lucrecia Martel
Producer(s):
Lita Stantic
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Sexual Situations, Brief Nudity)
Categories:
Independent Films
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Member Reviews
     
    Francis T.

    This is one of the films that made me think about "what is love" vs. "what is lust." What I did like abou the film was the internal conflict with the young girl having either "lust" or "love" with a mature adult. At the end, I did enjoy the film.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Jane N.

    I found this film quite good initially - the camera work is interesting and the themes are compelling. After about an hour though I got very bored and fell asleep.

    Yes   |   No

     
    James V.

    Lucrecia Martel's THE HOLY GIRL, like her earlier "La Cienaga," dispenses almost entirely with exposition (or disguisers it alarmingly well) while giving viewers a remarkable, close-up look at the thoughts, feelings and actions in its characters' lives. For some, this will be off-putting; others will dive in to enjoy. Present-day Argentina & its middle-class economic, social, sexual & religious life with all the usual hypocritical baggage is slowly drawn and quartered here. Less anti-religious/anti-class/anti-male-female than simply anti-life as it is lived--and ruled--first by need and second by hypocrisy and denial, this film is a unusual "observation." Martel does not comment on her observation, but leaves that to us. Most filmmakers would not end their work where she does (in the middle of the climax, yet!). This may make for a less satisfying experience, movie-wise, but does leave us with the realization that--whatever else happens--the same repetitive, denying life will go on.

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