Have you seen these under-the-radar lesbian(ish) films? You should, because they're amazing.

submitted by soundsituation from self.Lesbians

It just so happens that two of the best movies I've seen this year have lesbian main characters. Neither are romances, although both feature romance - but that isn't even why you should watch them. They're just really fucking good.

  • Booksmart, 2019 - I don't want to overhype this, but I'm being 100% honest when I say this is the funniest movie I have ever watched. It's a last-day-of-senior-year buddy comedy with a setup reminiscent of Superbad but with much, much better execution (and I liked Superbad). A lesbian character is one half of the duo (and no, she doesn't fall for her straight best friend, thank god). The film also happens to be really beautifully directed, which is something I don't think you see with comedies; not contemporary ones anyway. If this is what Olivia Wilde is capable of with her directorial debut, holy shit - she's going to be one to watch in the future.

  • Thelma, 2017 - Do you like lesbian superhero thrillers? That's a rhetorical question because of course you do. Thelma is gorgeous, tense, romantic, emotional, and cathartic. The direction is absolutely exquisite - it actually reminded me of David Lynch's work in its ability to create pure dread out of superficially mundane shots.

Both films are streaming on Hulu. If you've already seen them or end up watching them, I'd love to know what you think!

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[–]SerpensInferna 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (1 child)

Thanks for the recs, I watched Booksmart today! It was adorable and hilarious.

[–]soundsituation[S] 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Glad to hear you enjoyed it :)

[–]paleolithicat 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (5 children)

Ok, I need to intervene here. Thelma is not a superhero thriller. I am too tired at the moment to search for the correct genre but it also doesn't matter.

The movie is a masterpiece and nothing will manage to surpass it, as it tells the lesbian "coming-of-age" in an absolutely genius way. I will try to shortly explain:

(Spoilers ahead)

Thelma's "power" is her will. Throughout the film we see her having the seizures when fighting her natural desire. She "deletes" the other girl because of how deep she suppresses her sexuality. Only when in peace with herself is she able to revert the narrative.

The father represents Patriarchy. That is why the mother is disabled while he is alive. He gives a fake impression to care for his daughter(female) and be her friend while he actually is absolutely bent to keep his power and the status quo (represented in the movie by Religion) as he wishes it. That's why he describes Thelma's "power" as a sickness. Strongwilled women have never been favoured in patriarchy.

I can talk more but I watched the movie years ago. Hit me up or answer here, if you want to discuss it further. :)

[–]soundsituation[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

Wow, excellent analysis! Concise and convincing. I totally agree that the film is allegorical and not simply a piece of supernatural-themed entertainment. I think of Thelma as an alt-superhero kind of similar to Donnie Darko, but definitely not a Marvel superhero or anything like that.

Would you say Thelma is your favorite lesbian movie (which I suppose I'm defining as any film with a lesbian main character whose sexuality figures significantly in the narrative)?

[–]paleolithicat 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

Thanks! Yes, I would absolutely say it is my favourite. Its allegorical nature makes it universal for the core experience which lesbians all over the world go through.

If there was to be one movie on the topic, I'd choose this one because it just sums up everything so perfectly.

Yet, I enjoy lesbian comedies quite a lot so I simply LOVE D.E.B.S. Have you seen it? What is your favourite lesbian movie?

[–]soundsituation[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Portrait of a Lady on Fire. That movie changed my life, specifically the way I think about love, relationships, fulfillment and fate. If Portrait didn't exist, though, I think I'd choose Thelma. I couldn't get into D.E.B.S.!

[–]paleolithicat 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

What do you mean you couldn't get into it? Haven't watched it or didn't enjoy it?

Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Can you elaborate on the effect you mention and your views on the movie?

Personally I found it a bit overhyped and I didn't understand some of their inner motivations.

Spoilers ahead

The period drama has also a certain outdated flair for me, it is a beloved genre but clearly one destined to fulfill the trope of the impossible love. I am just so far from it that I couldn't understand their last interactions in the movie. It felt weird because why don't they just run away? The artist was at first sight (!) less of a rebel than the blonde but she obviously was more rebellious because she was following her own path which had more freedom. The blonde seemed only to be the rebel but she chose the heteronormative destiny. And what did she want from the artist in their last conversation? It all felt very dramatic but for me it also felt they DID have another choice.

[–]Wanderingthehalls 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Not a movie but Gentleman Jack is a period drama about Anne Lister who, as she was financially independent, was able to pursue her desire to find a wife. The second season is due pretty soon. I'm not sure if the series will eventually end with a happy ending or not. As it's a period drama based on really people who are dead. So I guess the tone of the ending depends on when in her life the series ends but it certainly doesn't fulfil a trope of impossible love.