Extra Geography

There are more prickles here than in the similarly themed comedies Booksmart and Mean Girls, and they finally coalesce into an unforgettably spiky denouement.

Extra Geography is an extra treat in the movie world’s school timetable.

The film is exceptionally well lit throughout, in a metaphorical gesture of illuminating the darker corners of the teenage soul.

With bold narrative choices enhanced by immersive cinematography and confident direction anchored by powerful breakthrough performances, Molly Manners’ directorial debut is a compelling showcase of emerging talent.

Overall, Manners’ feature debut is perfectly polished. Duggan and Clear are distinct talents who scream future stars (or, at worst, working talents for years to come). But as insightful as it all is as a portrait of those bumpy teenage years for young women, it does all feel a bit too familiar. Maybe even a little too safe and predictable.

A confident debut. Though some areas are lightly sketched, the riveting performances from two promising newcomers are deserving of a pass with merit.

I appreciate that Manners and Battye are trying to add some extra flair to what is otherwise a fairly conventional growing-pains narrative, but too often Extra Geography seems located outside any map of the real world.