Product Details

• Actors: Shannon Woodward, Jackson Rathbone, Amanda Plummer, Evan Sneider
• Directors: Justin Lerner
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Strand Releasing
• DVD Release Date: August 7, 2012
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B007TOSB7O
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,997 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Girlfriend" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Review

observant and heartfelt --Ray Benett, The Hollywood Reporter

tremendous heart and integrity... gentle, optimistic and just about right --Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com

sweet, beguiling, and at times wrenching --Steve Pond, The Wrap

Product Description

Winner of three Audience Awards, GIRLFRIEND is a moving, coming-of-age drama that explores the nature of love and human compassion. Evan, a young adult with Down Syndrome, lives with his mother (Amanda Plummer, PULP FICTION) in a poor, working-class town. When he unexpectedly inherits a large sum of money, he decides to use it to help out his friend and high school crush, Candy (Shannon Woodward, RAISING HOPE TV Series), a single mother deeply in-debt and facing eviction. The two form an unlikely relationship, and everything seems to be falling into place, until Candy s volatile ex-boyfriend, Russ (Jackson Rathbone, THE TWILIGHT SAGA) interferes, resulting in an eruption of secrets and emotions. GIRLFRIEND subverts conventions, presenting a fresh take on love, struggle and family in contemporary society.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Refreshingly Original And Unsentimental Indie About Coming of Age With Down Syndrome July 20, 2012

By K. Harris HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWER

Format:DVD

I approached the indie "Girlfriend" with some trepidation. As the central protagonist is a young man with Down Syndrome, I was worried that the movie might be overly sentimental or would strain for uplift as sometimes these well meaning endeavors attempt. I was pleasantly surprised, therefore, that this was NOT a movie about Down Syndrome. Instead, it happens to be a film in which the lead character is living with Down. And even more refreshing, he's flawed and frustrating and embodies a three dimensional character with foibles, poor judgement, and the expected complexities of a young man struggling toward adulthood. In his first full length feature, writer/director Justin Lerner has established a movie that feels simultaneously real and offbeat. And while I wasn't entirely convinced throughout the plot, the characters felt so grounded that I was swept up in this unusual tale.

"Girlfriend" introduces us to Evan (Evan Sneider, who is Down in real life) who shares a comfortable rural existence with his mother (the great Amanda Plummer. Where has she gone? Why don't we see her more often?). Evan is a sociable enough individual who yearns for normalcy. He works in the restaurant industry with this mom, he tries to keep up with high school friends, he crushes on a girl (Raising Hope's Shannon Woodward) and gets caught up in the drama, intrigue, and romance of his favorite TV programs. More than anything, though, he just wants to have a girl by his side and his sights are set on Woodward. Things take a turn when Evan is left on his own, and he attempts to get closer to his dream girl by rescuing her from dire financial straits. This squarely gets him caught up in a complicated domestic situation that also involves her former flame (Jackson Rathbone) and her young son. The screenplay isn't, at time, afraid to make Evan unlikable which is much to its credit. Just who, if anyone, is taking advantage of whom? Some might describe this as a gentle love story (and in its way, it is) but I was far more intrigued by the weightier moral decisions its characters faced.

Sneider does well in a challenging role. Woodward is solid enough, and Rathbone is charmingly unhinged. I really thought this movie was exceedingly well acted and involving. Sometimes, however, the situations strained credibility. I won't reveal any spoilers, I'll just say that I never fully bought Evan's financial independence (which was established rather haphazardly with a convenient wad of cash). The movie, after being so good, doesn't seem to know how to end as well. A sudden and inexplicable accident feels both rushed and tacked on. Seriously, I was so engrossed that I thought I was going to give the movie my highest recommendation. But these stumbles, especially at the end, disappointed me more than I'd like to admit. Still, though, I wholeheartedly recommend "Girlfriend." It's not a movie I feel like I've seen a dozen times before and this originality goes a long way with me. I look forward to Lerner's next project. KGHarris, 7/12.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars great, i loved this movie,although i am an indy film peson October 21, 2012

By nae518

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

this movie was not at blockbuster for sure but it will live in my home lib. forever. Love the actors new and old "Eathan" hope to see more of him, hie did so well, 100 Monkeys rocked the score and loved orson brawl at the party. Least favorite was not loving Jackson as such a bad person, don't fit his image so well, but maybe we will see more of him in this way. Again Way to Go Jarad Anderson for his small but great roll as well. Hope to see more.

LOVE ANYTHING 100 Monkey related.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Movie September 18, 2012

By SwtPoison

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a wonderful movie with quite a bit of drama. The actors are amazing in their roles. Evan Schneider is an actor with a lot of talent and promise.