A French-Canadian teenager takes her power back after a stereotypically degrading insult in director Sophie Lorain’s progressive, sex-positive comedy, Slut in a Good Way. This black and white mumblecore film explores the strength of female friendships during the pivotal time in a young girl’s life when both personal and sexual freedom is explored and discovering the freedom of being comfortable in one’s own skin.
The film begins with a long one-take of three giggling girls, Charlotte (Marguerite Bouchard), Mégane (Romane Denis), and Aube (Rose Adam), as they rummage around a sex shop where Charlotte is deciding on which lingerie set to buy for her boyfriend. With input from her friends, she chooses an outfit, but unfortunately, the lingerie does little to spice up the 17-year-old’s relationship, as Charlotte’s boyfriend decides to break up with her that night. Turns out, he prefers men. But that doesn’t deter a headstrong Charlotte from trying to win him back, as she simultaneously self-medicates her heartbreak with booze, bongs, and best friends.
Each boy crazy in their own way, the girls can’t believe how many handsome guys work at the local toy store, Toy Depot, and immediately apply for part-time jobs just to be in their company. Hoping to get her mind off her ex, Charlotte finds that flirting with the other boys at work is actually helping her move on. It is said that one way to get over someone is by getting under someone else, and Charlotte does just that. For a while, she feels more confident and self-assured, but when her co-workers begin slut-shaming her with the unfair double standard between her actions and those of her male partners, Charlotte becomes more insecure than ever.
Slut in a Good Way, previously titled Charlotte a du fun (aka Charlotte has fun) is an anthem to strong independent women who are not relying on having a boyfriend to feel complete. Director Sophie Lorain accomplishes this by never pointing a finger at Charlotte or insinuating that her trysts are mistakes. Rather, Lorain portrays the natural curiosity of a young woman who enjoys having sex without a moral judgment- something that is rarely supported onscreen. Once the stigma surrounding her sexuality is erased, Charlotte’s character is viewed as neither wrong or bad- in this case, “slut” is actually a term of endearment.
Lighthearted with a strong message behind it, Slut in a Good Way joins a growing number of films that are tackling progressive teenage sexuality, like Netflix’s Sex Education and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Slut in a Good Way is an upbeat and refreshing story, reminiscent of a modern-day version of Grease in some aspects, and another step toward the future of female-powered independent films.
89 minutes. Rated R for sexual content, drug use, drinking, and language – all involving teens. Opening this Friday at Laemmle Royal, Playhouse 7, and Glendale.
