A Girl Like Her, writer and director Amy S. Weber's earnest story about teen bullying, easily could have played like an after-school special on TV.
And at times early on, it does, when characters are sketched out too broadly. But if you stick with the drama, in which Weber incorporates fake found footage and faux documentary scenes, you'll be rewarded, particularly by the outstanding performances of Lexi Ainsworth and Hunter King.
Jessica (Ainsworth) seems like a normal high-school kid. Her tech-savvy friend Brian (Jimmy Bennett) fits her with a camera hidden in a pin. But he's not looking for entertainment. He's looking for evidence. Jessica's former best friend Avery (King), the queen bee of the popular girls, has turned on her. She bullies her relentlessly, in person, online, in text messages and e-mails.
Jessica is afraid to say anything because she fears doing so will make the situation worse. And then Jessica swallows a bottle of pills.
As Jessica lapses into a coma, her high school wins an award as one of the best public schools in the country. Amy Gallagher (Weber) and a documentary crew arrive to make a film about such a successful school, but Jessica's suicide attempt turns it into something else altogether.
As with most films that incorporate "found" footage, the access and angles strain credulity from time to time. And at first, Avery comes off as just a vapid teenage girl more concerned with her image than anything else. But Gallagher hits upon the idea of letting her tell her story, the story of being a popular kid, in her own words. She gives her a camera and we see Avery and her friends submit classmates to their casual cruelty. All in fun, Avery assures.
But we see more. A visit to Avery's home reveals a troubled family doing all it can to keep up appearances but failing. Small slights turn into big battles. Avery seemingly accepts it as the status quo, but there's obviously more going on inside her head.
Meanwhile, Brian comes to Gallagher with the months of footage Jessica shot. Here, Avery acts like a monster, with stunning cruelty and abuse - including texts and e-mails imploring Jessica to kill herself.
A few developments, like Avery's clique turning on her immediately (they were there for much of the abuse, it's not as if they didn't know), are unlikely but advance the story. They reveal more of Avery, and King brings more layers to the character. This doesn't absolve Avery of her behavior, but it does help explain it.
It's wrenching stuff. If bits and pieces feel contrived (and they do), overall the message is strong - and important.
By Bill Goodykoontz/The Arizona Republic
A GIRL LIKE HER (B)
Starring Lexi Ainsworth, Jimmy Bennett and Hunter King. Directed by Amy S. Weber. PG-13 (disturbing thematic material involving teens, and for language). 92 mins. In wide release.
