LOL (Laughing Out Loud)

The quick-step world of the internet that has Dads calling loudly to their children for help is a strong theme in LOL – a double barreled title referring to the term Laugh Out Loud (used in online chat) and short for Lola, the title character of the film.

The film focuses on the relationship between Lola (Christa Theret) and her mother Anne (Sophie Marceau). Using snappy editing and quick-paced splicing between different storylines and characters, the film at first appears to be a parade of stylish characters that wouldn’t look out of place in a Vogue.

Perfect teenagers such as the ones in LOL always inspire a healthy dose of cynicism when one is seeking a story that connects with reality: None of us had skin and confidence like this in our teens and as a result the film gets off to a rocky beginning in terms of realism. But this is a huge part of successful American films, so perhaps this was the motivation behind the casting.

Whilst at first the film appears as though it might be touching on some deeper human emotions similar to the recent exploration into teen awkwardness French Kissers, the characters in LOL are overly polished in a way that is more reminiscent television series The OC than anything more insightful.

As the movie progressed however, it was apparent that LOL deals with much more than sleek haircuts and surface-y relationships. The hypocrisy of the parent characters, for instance, as they aim to curb the same behavior in their children that they are participating in themselves is an interesting theme.

As far as plot goes, title character Lola finds that she is falling for her ex-boyfriend’s best friend. At the same time her mother starts seeing her ex-husband again.

Sophie Marceau gives an excellent portrayal of Anne who is increasingly frustrated and wound up in the ball of exasperation. She finds refuge in her friends and admits that whilst she wanted sexual freedom when younger, she is finding it hard to accept that her daughter wants that too. This is particularly evident when she sees her daughter has had a bikini wax and accuses her of wanting to be a porn star - A hyper reaction to what is seen to be a cultural norm.

The film does gain momentum in the second half, with a school trip to England making fun some of the eccentricities of the English in homage to the oft-mentioned rivalry between our Franco-Anglo cousins.

The main thrux of the film is the relationship between Anne and Lola and it is one that transcends culture and time even though this film is quite era specific.

The film has been making waves overseas as well, with an American version on the cards that is rumoured to star Miley Cyrus and Demi Moore as the mother daughter combo.

Rebelling against filial obligation is certainly not a new thing, and nor is an over protective mother who is not quite aware of the world in which her daughter exists. The intertwining of different generations certainly adds to the drama in what is, overall, an accurate portrait of the formative years coupled with the ever complicated world of adulthood.

LOL screens in Sydney at the Alliance Francaise French Film Festival from Mar. 2- 21.