Mary Jane's Not a Virgin Anymore

A sex-positive feminist punk-rock coming-of-age story. Way lo-fi and very charming. The performances are uneven at times but the script is really funny and rings very true. It's the most unsentimental and realistic portrayal of sexual awakening that I've ever seen. Like a low-budget "Slums of Beverly Hills," only far better.

I have to agree with the NY & LA critical press on this film, "a complete waste of film." Poorly written, terribly shot, the characters engage in juvenile dialogue in a story meant for morons. Actors were horribly directed as they labored thru a sophomoric attempt at filmmaking. Belly lint is more interesting.

While I agree the screenwriting isn't the greatest, for the period in which it was released, it has very progressive views. Very open-minded for the mid 90's, and sadly, even today. It showed same sex relationships, single parenthood, female sexuality, sexual harassment and more without judgment or stereotypical characters in a time where that was taboo and unthinkable.

This was better than expected.

Its practically just a girl and her life as a Teenager working in NYC in a small Movie Theater chain with a lot of colorful characters. She discover herself sexually through the help of her co-workers AND tries to you live life as she can.

Its the rawest of this Everyday Workplace comedies of nineties. It almost feels like watching a Warhol or borderline no budget filmmakers like Curt McDowell. Not well lit, filmed with not much quality film, and everything feels crummier than usual but it works because its sensible BUT there is a sense of knowing Mirth.

It also successfully drives a sense community and a randomness of working on a 9-5. Like having a 30 y/o co-worker bestie vibe with a demonic lynch-pin enemy nearby at the same time that more popular workplace films are missing (see Reality Vibes).

But yeah, it nose-dives after that certain twist AND never really finds footing.

Sarah Jacobsen mostly succeeds in creating a space of right enough raunchiness and vulnerability. Its kinda sad that she was unable to really have a big break after this as she died extremely young at 32. There is something beautiful in it to be honest until that twist.

Recommended but has faults.

Also a rundown of what the cast has been doing:

1. Marni Snyder Spoons- who played the Pregnant and Raped Grace, became a lawyer and tried to be a State Representative Philadelphia' 182nd District 2. Beth Allen - who played the Punk guitarist Ericka, actually was a Guitarist for bands like The Lucky13, Hot Patooties and still doing it.

3. Lisa Gerstein - who played lead Mary Jane, from the latest lead I got of her GoFundMe for Flounce Vintage. She might be the owner of that. She also has an interview for another vintage store in LA.

4. Bwana Spoons - who played the nerdy Ryan, is a very famous artist of Alien-like dolls. He has a website and all.

5. Andrew David DeAngelo - who played the insufferable alcoholic Matt, is now a self proclaimed Weed Expert.

6. No idea with Chris Enright, who played the dreamboat Tom, and Greg Cruikshank, the manager. They kinda just fall flat to earth. Chris Enright has work but mostly almost indie no budgets to be honest.

So I knew nothing of this film or its director Sarah Jacobson coming into this viewing at MoMA, but thought I'd check it out. Many of the criticisms leveled against the film are true. The script is weak, as are most of the technical aspects of it. The characters mostly represent archetypes and much of the dialogue is eye-rolling. However, to this films credit I actually worked in a movie theater and also moved to NYC in my twenties and I distinctly remember people just like these characters in the film also saying equally fatalistic, clueless, nonsensical things. To that I must give some credit where it is due, which leads me to think that it is the direction that lets the film down? Not sure about that but I will say that for as much bad as this film contains I'm happy that I decided to check it out, and while it's clearly not for everyone, it just might be worth it for those still curious.