Search - Girls Can't Swim on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Nudity, Sexual Situations, Suitable for Teens Movie Release: 2000 DVD Release: 09/24/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: French Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 38 mins Studio: Fox Lorber Members Wishing: 8 Genres: Comedy Drama, Teen Movie, Family Drama, Coming-of-Age

French filmmaker Anne-Sophie Birot makes her writing and directing debut with the coming-of-age drama Les Filles Ne Savent Pas Nager, given the unfortunate English title Girls Can't Swim. Every year, Gwen (Isild Le Besco) meets up with her best friend Lise (Karen Alyx) for a summer on the beach in Brittany. Since Gwen has grown into a reckless teenager and her parents are experiencing financial problems, this year is decidedly different. She develops an interest in sex, starts dating Frédo (Julien Cottereau), and looks for other boys to fool around with. Her dad, Alain (Pascal Elso), sells his boat, her mom, Céline (Pascale Bussières), starts working to support the family, and, worst of all, Lise doesn't come to the beach. Meanwhile, back in the city, Lise finds out her absent father has died, which causes much grief to her mother (Marie Rivière) and older sisters (Yelda Reynaud and Sandrine Blancke). Having never met her father and wanting to escape her family's trauma, she travels by herself to Brittany. Without telling anyone what's bothering her, Lise is pensive and brooding while Gwen is thirsty for adventure, leading to a major fight between the two girls. With Gwen running around on her own and Céline at work, Lise and Alain are left to form an unlikely friendship, which takes a dark turn and leads to a tragic conclusion. Girls Can't Swim premiered at the 2000 Montreal Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide

Isild Le Besco - Gwen
Karen Alyx - Lise
Pascale Bussières - Celine
Pascal Elso - Alain

Anne-Sophie Birot's tale of teenage pen pal best friends, Girls Can't Swim, comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.66:1. The French soundtrack is rendered in Dolby Digital 5.1. English subtitles are accessible. There are no supplemental materials of any consequence, but this Wellspring release should still be of value to those with an interest in French cinema. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide