Support the Girls (2018) Film Review

Known as the ‘godfather of mumblecore‘, filmmaker Andrew Bujalski brings a more sensitive side to Americana in his latest film,
Support the Girls. The comedy-drama stars The Hate U Give‘s Regina Hall as Lisa, the general manager of a local sports bar whose patience and optimism is tested over an arduous day.

While the tiny uniforms and attractive waitresses of local roadside bar
Double Whammies are sure to raise some eyebrows, Bujalski uses the simple setting to create a little piece of escapism that – ironically – provides very little distraction to the tedium of real life. Keeping dialogue to a minimum, he allows his cast to deliver expressive and amusing performances.

Desperate to promote the bar as a ‘family’ place, Lisa’s role as general manager sees her taking the brunt of her staff’s personal issues. Amid troubled employees and her own chaotic personal life, she remains determined to keep Double Whammies going, so waitresses such as super-smiley Maci (Haley Lu Richardson) and working mum Danyelle (Shayna McHale) can work and be happy. After all, happy employees means happy customers.

However, Lisa’s patience is gradually tested by the male characters throughout the film. Aside from the gruff customers, her brash boss Cubby (James LeGros) and her depressed husband Cameron (Laurence Varnado) do little to support or help her. Hall’s charming performance sees audiences not only root for the overwhelmed Lisa but also empathise on how she is able to carry on with a smile on her face.

Overall, Support the Girls subtly celebrates sisterhood in the most unexpected place, with Regina Hall leading a diverse cast that delivers sass and charm.

Support the Girls is out in UK cinemas on 28 June.

Director: Andrew Bujalski
Stars: Regina Hall, Haley Lu Richardson, Dylan Gelula, Brooklyn Decker, James Le Gros, Lea DeLaria, Shayne McHayle
Runtime: 91 minutes
Country: USA

Film Rating: