32A ( *** )

89 Minutes

Official Selection, Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival

First kiss, first love, first heartache. In 32A, a new coming-of-age dramedy from writer/director Marian Quinn, central character Maive Brennan (newcomer Ailish McCarthy) experiences a lot of firsts. The baby-faced 13-year-old visits her first club, smokes her first joint, and locks lips with her crush for the first time. But when she sacks her friends for said crush, she'll have a few lessons to learn about love and friendship before her 14th birthday.

32A finds its strengths in its simplicity. It's also so true-to-life, it feels like if the director left a hidden camera on these girls, it would yield nearly identical results. The actresses are extremely natural, especially McCarthy as Maive and Sophie Jo Wasson as her best friend/frienemy Ruth. The language never sounds too elevated or too juvenile for the characters, a problem that's usually present in teen films. Writer/Director Quinn seems to remember what it's like to be thirteen very well.

While it can seem slightly thin on story, it's certain moments that tie 32A together. A film about teens this realistic could never have a Disney logo. You'll never see the girls of High School Musical pulling another's shirt up or practicing a kiss on another girl. Well, not for a movie anyway. But 32A does give a refreshing take on those adolescent years that just might trigger memories buried deep in the hard drive. While a first bra is a rite of passage only female viewers will be able to identify with, everyone should be able to appreciate this solid B cup.