While the subject matter isn’t exactly new ground, Support the Girls‘ perspective is quite refreshing.
Before her work day begins, Lisa (Regina Hall) sits in her car and cries. Today is going to be challenging, she warns one of her employees, the ever-bubbly Maci (Haley Lu Richardson.) The two agree that they’re going to attack the day with gusto and go “balls to the wall.”
Lisa and Maci work at a Hooters-like “breastaurant” called Double Whammies, one of those supposedly mainstream eateries that offer up bar food while the waitresses dress in as little as possible. Lisa is the general manager and Maci is one of the superstars of the wait staff. Over the course of the day, Lisa will have to deal with typical tasks like interviewing new waitresses and making the schedule for the next week. She’ll also have to deal with a burglar stuck in an air vent, cable TV problems on the day of a big boxing match, and organizing a not-quite-legal parking lot car wash to raise money for a waitress dealing with an abusive boyfriend. Oh, and the owner, Cubby (James Le Gros) threatens to fire her…again.
Support the Girls is a comedy but it’s not full of hilarious one-liners or wacky contrivances. Its laughs come from funny situations rooted in everyday life. Its dramatic moments occur in the same way. It’s as if writer/director Andrew Bujalski simply turned on the cameras, dropped in on the life of the restaurant staff, and edited a movie out of what he caught on film. Bujalski’s film perfectly captures the atmosphere and the thankless jobs of a customer service establishment and its familial nature. Lisa tries to do the best job she can for the owner but she also watches out for “her girls.” As someone who has managed a workplace with underpaid employees, I found that much of this film rang true.
While the subject matter isn’t exactly new ground, Support the Girls‘ perspective is quite refreshing: Women working in a place geared towards objectifying them and they all have each others’ backs. The title of the film is an obvious double entendre but it’s also what the film is about: camaraderie in the face of societal obstacles. There are many jabs taken at the capitalistic reality in which a workplace is considered family-friendly yet sexual harassment is commonplace.
Regina Hall delivers a knockout performance as Lisa. She isn’t just a boss to her young staff. She’s a teacher, a protector, and a cheerleader. Hall makes this movie worth watching by herself. The supporting cast, especially Haley Lu Richardson and Shayna McHayle, are equally excellent.
Due to its “a day in the life” perspective, it’s sometimes hard to figure out what’s happening. It’s up to the audience to figure out who is who and who is important. For those used to being spoon-fed every little detail, this film might be too challenging. My biggest problem with Support the Girls is that, around the midway point, it begins to meander a bit. Thankfully, it course corrects before the closing credits.
If you’re looking for a film that isn’t afraid to call out society’s weird double standards and still manages to be entertaining, check out Support the Girls.
3.5 out of 5.0 stars
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