Larry Clark (Kids, Bully) looks at life in a small Texas border town, focusing on the fragile relationships between whites and Mexican immigrants—and, of course, the sexual proclivities of the delinquent teen population. The loose narrative structure of this 2012 feature shifts between a few, interconnected sets of characters, recalling Clark’s best film to date, Ken Park (2002), while the loopy vibe feels held over from his comedy Wassup Rockers (2005). In a provocative break from realism, Clark introduces an unlikely character into the seedy milieu: a visiting artist determined to spread a gospel of free love among the underclass. Clark presents the idea of experiencing deep, mutual pleasure through sex as a healthy alternative to the cynical, narrow-minded thinking that governs most of the characters. The film delivers this idealistic notion with disarming sincerity; Clark’s sympathy for his subjects is more evident than ever.
Marfa Girl
1 hour 47 min • 2012
