Lithium Magazine

TVA Films

By Sean Farquharson

From the same producers of “Bend it Like Beckham,” Fast Girls is an inspiring film about the trials and tribulations of running for the British women’s track team. The movie follows a young girl named Shania, a poverty line teenager who lives in the ghetto, as she runs towards her dreams of being an international track star. The movie features great music, an interesting look into British teenage subcultures, as well as a strong plot line.

The director of music for this movie did an incredible job in picking the songs. They are rap oriented but sung by a British artist, which offers much in terms of creating relation between North American and European identities. This is because of the mix between rap music and British accents. This creates a foreign familiarity in the viewer. They can relate, but not so much as to assimilate the entire movie into North American Culture. Kudos to the music producer for truly contrasting and separating the two ethnicities.

As with the music, the film itself looks into the British teenage subculture of track, as well as the wealthy and poor neighborhoods. From the North American perspective it was interesting to contrast one’s own experiences with that of how it was portrayed in Britain in the movie (Remembering, of course, that nothing in movies is represented fully in reality). As such, the sports orientation of the movie both inspires and empowers its audience due to the nature of the film. The film also gives perspective into the lives of those from the wealthy and poor classes. This contrast becomes the focal point for the protagonist to adapt to. It is interesting because it helps the viewer understand the background of the characters, consequently giving the audience a feeling of tangibility.

Finally, the plot itself is very strong. Each sequence of film makes sense and never leaves the audience behind or feeling unsure of what is happening. In this sense it is very easy for kids to follow and understand the film’s progression to the end. That being said, it is rated PG as some language may offend. (The good news is that some of it is British slang, which might go over the heads of young children).

Fast Girls is a fast paced racing movie that seeks to inspire and empower. Even after it ends, the action continues within the bonus features.