The 15 Year Old Girl (1989)
Willy, a middle-aged divorcee, decides to take his 15 year-old son, Thomas, on holiday to Ibiza, staying at an isolated villa on the unspoilt part of the coast. Thomas insists on bringing his friend Juliette, a girl of his own age with whom he enjoys a close platonic relationship. When it comes to physical love, Juliette is wise beyond her years. She will only sleep with men older than herself and has no intention of committing herself to a long-term relationship.
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If you don't like this, we can't be friends.
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Not sure how, but this is easily one of the best movies all summer. Multiple levels of funny, never takes itself seriously, super colorful, and creative.
It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
Juliette, a fifteen year old girl, is an unusual young woman. She is seeing Thomas, a friend from school, with whom she has been planning a holiday in Formentera, an island that is part of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. For that purpose, she must convince her parents it will be safe for her to go, but first she must try to charm Thomas' father, Willy, who will accompany them on the trip.The idyllic setting lends itself for romance. Juliette and Thomas fall into a leisurely routine. Willy, who stays out of the teenagers way, cannot help but admiring his son's friend. Juliette, in fact, develops an interest for the older Willy, who is at first reluctant to have anything with Juliette, who could easily be her daughter. Juliette plays with fire when she flirts with the older man. She has no idea what she gets herself into, as Willy craves for the sweetness and youth in the girl.Jacques Doillon directed and co-wrote the screen treatment for this 1989 film with Jean-Francois Goyet and Arlette Langmann. In many ways, the film reminded this viewer of some of Erich Rohmer's movies because of the structure and the way Mr. Doillon presents the story. Like in some of Mr. Rohmer's work, the heroine is witty, intelligent, and resourceful. Juliette has set her mind about what she intends to do, even before she gets to the island. Carrying her purpose takes the whole film, which at times, can be too talky for audiences that might want a bit more action than the picture offers.Judith Godreche showed she had a tremendous talent back in 1989, when the film was made. She has kept that promise through her work in the French cinema. Her Juliette shows an innate intelligence that shows in her work. Jacques Doillon, the director, appears as Willy, an older man who gets dazzled by the freshness and beauty of his son's friend. Young Melvil Poupaud's Thomas is perhaps too immature to stand against the more worldly Juliette, a young woman clearly way beyond her years.The beautiful setting of the island is shown in all its splendor by the cinematographer Caroline Champentier.