Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
Lola is a striking teenaged girl who is on the cusp of adulthood and longs to rush into the adult world of independence, freedom and sexual exploits, but is tenaciously held back by her mother.
LOL (2008) is a French coming-of-age comedy that covers fairly standard teenage territory — first loves, mother-daughter tension, high school drama — without adding much that feels fresh or distinctive. The performances, particularly from Sophie Marceau and the young cast, are competent and natural, giving the film its modest charm. Visually it's functional but unremarkable, with no particular cinematographic ambition. The plot follows well-worn beats of adolescent rebellion and reconciliation, and the ending resolves things in a predictably tidy fashion. It's a pleasant, watchable film but sits comfortably in the middle tier of its genre.