In 50 yrs. of films, I think this is the first film I've ever seen that gives the viewer such in-depth experience watching the day to day life of a 10 yr. old girl. The extraordinary Ponette has a four yr old subject and hones in on one other overriding topic- death- as understood by the 4 yr. old.
But The Girl has no focus on any one subject other than its heroine; it documents her day to day life as she, through accident(others') and intention(hers), is left at home to fend for herself during a significant stretch of her 10th summer. While resourceful and independent,this thin pale redhead is also emotionally walled off from the world. She watches, and you watch her watch.Her wanderings around her rural small town Swedish environs- teach her both the negative 'lessons' of cruel peers and weak adults, and the joys possible with kind strangers and simple friends. While not a children's film, it would be excellent for family viewing and discussion.
