12-year-old Bailey (Nykiya Adams) lives with her single dad (Barry Keoghan), who’s not much older than her and parties constantly. She wanders thru her days defying her father’s wishes and trying to fit in with a “gang.” Then she meets Bird (Franz Rogowski), who brings a new sense of worth to her life. Of course, Keoghan is the big name and he turns in another unfettered performance. But it’s the quiet depth of Adams’ performance and the mysterious charms of Rogowski that add warmth and heart. Writer/director Andrea Arnold also created American Honey (my review) and this line from my review applies here, “there’s an undeniably captivating allure to the cast and a winningly free-spirited approach in the filmmaking.” Arnold’s constantly-roving, mostly hand-held camera echoes the story’s rough energy. The scenes of domestic violence are truly harrowing. Since this is set in a rough area of North Kent, England, the accents are thick and sometimes hard to decipher. This look at people on the margins and one teen’s strive to be seen offers sweet grace (and an unexpected ending). 
(3 / 5)
