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Beautiful Girls
1996 112 min United States of America R 18+
★7.1
Comedy, Drama, Romance
Director: Ted Demme
Trailers
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EN
Description
During a snowy winter in the small fictional town of Knight's Ridge, Massachusetts, a group of lifelong buddies hang out, drink and struggle to connect with the women who affect their decisions, dreams and desires.
Budget:
$16M
US Gross:
$10.6M
Worldwide:
$27M
Starring
Matt Dillon
Actor
Timothy Hutton
Actor
Noah Emmerich
Actor
Awards
San Sebastián International Film Festival 1996
— CEC Award – Best Screenplay
San Sebastián International Film Festival 1996
— Golden Shell
Key opinion
Beautiful Girls is widely regarded as a warm, nostalgic character study that excels through its atmospheric winter setting and strong ensemble cast. While some viewers criticize its lack of a driving plot or dramatic stakes, others find its quiet, melancholic meditation on adulthood and friendship to be deeply comforting and authentic.
| Acting | The ensemble cast delivers natural, lifelike performances that anchor the film's intimate character portraits. | |
| Score | The evocative, timeless soundtrack plays a crucial role in establishing the film’s warm and soulful mood. | |
| Production | The atmospheric production design captures a cozy, authentic winter setting that enhances the feeling of a quiet, small-town retreat. | |
| Theme | The delicate handling of the relationship between the protagonist and the young character played by Natalie Portman successfully manages a potentially problematic age gap with emotional maturity. | |
| Pacing | The film's slow, contemplative pacing divides audiences; some find it a soothing, mood-based experience, while others perceive it as a lack of narrative momentum or an empty plot. |