beauty grace

SPOILERS INCLUDED. This film is very explicit and sensual, but I feel like it tells an illuminating story through the journey of a young girl trying to find herself. Many downplay this film as pornography because of the many scenes, however I feel like those intimate scenes were utilize to normalize sex and the female body, not glorify it in a pornographic manner. Sophia’s behavior came off like a cry for help, especially since she was grieving the loss of her mother. Sophia found her way to cope, and I think it guided her cousin Naima to seek her own way. It was evident the cousin struggled with deciding what she wanted to do for a living however, witnessing her cousin’s openess to life transformed her into doing things for herself, but as a consequence, she found herself behaving in a similar manner towards men like Sophia with Phillipe. I think it’s very telling when the male friend reminds Naima of her value, her worth because I think that’s what this film is about. A coming of age story of acceptance, accepting the good and ugly of our loved ones and openness to be one’s self. Alot of the sexual scenes/snippets may come off as unnecessary or gratifying, however I feel like they play into Sophia’s role as someone crying for help as an “easy girl”. Sophia’s behavior was only a shell to protect her from facing reality and I think Naima truly realized that throughout the film. It’s definitely an eye opening film, but worth the watch. You can learn so much from the openness of Sophia and the way Naima carried herself.