There’s something soothing about having your first, real crush, and those butterflies in your stomach that feel even stronger when that crush walks by. Let alone, when their arm gently brushes against yours, causing your arm hairs to stand up, and tingle a little bit, as you hold your breath, forgetting how to breathe for a moment. It’s that feeling of aching, longing, and even lusting that transports you to a simpler time in life.
That’s exactly the feeling that Hayley Kiyoko’s feature debut film, Girls Like Girls, conveys with this coming-of-age story of Coley (Maya da Costa), a 17-year-old girl who moves to a small town with her estranged father (Zach Braff) after the death of her mother. She befriends the pretty, popular girl, Sonya (Myra Molloy), and finds herself falling for her. Sonya, despite having a boyfriend, seems to feel the same way, but time and society are the only things holding her back from giving in to these feelings.
Set in the summer of 2006, nine years before same-sex marriage became legal nationwide, coming out was not yet normalized for young tweens and teens, especially in small American towns. Kiyoko, who publicly came out in 2015 with her song that the film is based on, has said this was her story and that she wanted to make it so other girls like her could feel seen.
The film’s production design and aesthetic feel deeply rooted in the early to mid-2000s. There’s a dreamy element to the scenes, especially when the sweet, tender moments between the two leads. In one scene, which features Sonya dancing in her room, light seeps through from the window, creating a blurry, muted effect as if the audience is viewing her through Coley’s loving eyes. The back-and-forth between Coley and Sonya felt like we were viewing their budding love through their lenses.
It was almost as if the film sought a few pointers from its supporting cast and fellow director Braff, evoking the same visual mood as 2004’s Garden State. It makes sense as the setting was around that time. The film does offer a lot of nostalgia for those who used the messenger app “AOL Instant Messenger” (AIM), including the awkward conversations and AIM slang.
The film is only elevated by the two leads – newcomer da Costa and Molloy – who have amazing chemistry. Throughout the film, their sincere connection is felt as Coley processes every little detail about Sonya. da Costa wonderfully portrays Coley with such innocence and uncertainty, yet it is understood when and how she evolves throughout the film, despite how little actual time has passed. It’s truly because of her ability to communicate her feelings without ever speaking that you still empathize with and root for her.
Sonya is the stunning beauty who, like an eldest Asian daughter in the mid-2000s, listens to her parents and follows their expectations, no matter how much she suffers. Molloy is so real with this performance, yearning for Coley’s affections while also struggling to “save face.” She wonderfully captures the essence of that burden, and the relief when she finally gives in to her urges.
Both actors are a breath of fresh air, and their chemistry was so palpable. You just empathized with their triumphs, longing, despair, and losses. It was like stepping into a time machine and remembering that feeling of first-time crush, love, and lust. Sexuality aside, it’s a beautiful coming-of-age story about figuring out who you are, while also falling in love. It’s just even better because it’s one of those few and far between stories that queer women – especially women of color – get to be the main character.
Girls Like Girls is an emotional, poignant, and honest story with a talented cast that brings out those warm, fuzzy feelings of a time when things felt genuine and simple – youth.
Girls Like Girls is out now in theaters everywhere.
