Teenage Lesbian from director Bree Mills and Adult Time is now on HotMovies! Based on a true story, this is Bree’s most personal movie yet in her independent feature film career. Set in the 90s, Teenage Lesbian stars Kristen Scott as Sam, an 18-year-old young woman coming to terms with her sexuality, told through a series of memories throughout her senior year in school. Bree’s script explores not just the oh-so-real hardships of growing up queer, but the positive influences that help shape us. Most of us won’t forget our first true kiss, or the first person to ask us to trim our pubic hair! Teenage Lesbian bears its heart in a nostalgia that is painful, but incredibly uplifting. Anchored by an incredibly empathetic lead performance from Kristen Scott, as well as ace turns from Tommy Pistol, Kenna James, and Wolf Hudson.
It’s a beautiful story that provokes empathy and human connection in many ways mainstream films and queer cinema haven’t. Also starring Dee Williams, Aidra Fox, Whitney Wright, Gianna Dior, Emily Willis, Casey Calvert, Maya Kendrick, Alina Lopez, and Kendra Spade. Let’s take a closer look:
September – Kristen Scott & Aidra Fox
“Life’s going to get harder, and in situations like this… you need to speak up.” – (Tommy Pistol as Sam’s Dad)
We meet Sam, played by Kristen Scott, an 18-year-old senior lost in her headphones walking home after class. Sam is thrown into a dumpster by a group of kids, who hurl slurs with an ease that suggests routine. At home, Sam’s father, played by Tommy Pistol, teeters on the well-meaning side of angry and helpless. Sam’s parents are separated, and that tension still permeates over the faces of both dad and daughter. Tommy gives an incredibly earnest performance and plays off Kristen’s Sam so well. (I wish I had a dad like Tommy Pistol growing up!)
Aidra Fox plays Sam’s gorgeous classmate, Nicole, who has caught Sam’s eye. Nicole invites Sam over to study, and then under the covers for a shared masturbation and oral sex session. The two seniors continue to hang out and study. Sam is a form of entertainment for Aidra, but what Sam desires is more fundamental.
October – Emily Willis & Gianna Dior
“I just want to understand, alright, how do you know you’re gay?” – (Robby Echo as Matt)
Dee William’s plays Sam’s mother, and the two actors brilliantly display the teenage chasm-sized hole in their relationship during a sit-down dinner in the kitchen. Sam continues to grapple with her confusion, as we see her experiment with binding her breasts with duct tape. Later, Sam attends a party with the bisexual best friend/sidekick we wish we had in school, JC, played by Wolf Hudson. Sam is a bit socially awkward, aware of what some of her classmates think of her. She’s low-key harassed by a hunky classmate Matt, played by Robby Echo. Sam’s thoughtful response to Matt’s boys-will-boys ignorance belies the uncertainty she’s been using as shield. Sam soon stumbles on to another arousing, but awkward, sexual experience.
Matt clumsily bursts into a bedroom JC and Sam have taken refuge in to pass out in with two classmates played by Gianna Dior and Emily Willis. Matt prods the giggling girls into making out, before he passes out. The girls continue, because this isn’t about that asshole anyway, as they peel off their clothes and giggle, having sex while Sam feigns sleep to peep from the back corner. The girls notice, and continue to indulge in each other’s bodies, while throwing slurs at Sam. Kristen’s expressive brown eyes convey that universal teenage sexual experience; arousal, and shame.
December – Kristen Scott & Alina Lopez
“You were supposed to be my best friend, get out!” – (Aidra Fox as Nicole)
Christmas approaches and we meet Kendra Spade’s Meg. Sam checks her out surreptitiously while pretending to be lost in her headphones. Sam spends an awkward Christmas Day with her father. Poor Sam receives a homemade present from a grandparent so ridiculously not Sam, and how Sam’s father handles it isn’t as helpful for Sam as it may first seem. Later that week, Sam and Nicole are getting ready for a New Years party, when Sam understandably misreads a romantic cue from Nicole, who immediately freaks out. How Nicole handles this is heartbreaking, and too familiar for some of us; Aidra Fox’s brave performance gives this scene a piercing edge….
JC talks Sam into attending her first rave, which she isn’t ready for, but oh well. Sam, earnestly craving affection, finds herself in another awkward sexual situation with a fellow raver played by Alina Lopez. The deflating of Alina’s infectious enthusiasm is more A-level work by this supporting cast, and how Bree handles this encounter is stunningly honest. Fortunately, Sam is quickly befriended by a college student and spectator to her pain, Meg, played by Kenna James (who gives the dark horse performance of this film). Meg is kind, and reaches out kindly to Sam, and the audience can finally take in a much needed breath…
February – Kristen Scott & Kenna James
“Every lesbian has seen The Hunger!” – (Kenna James as Meg)
A few weeks later Meg takes Sam back to her place to relate some life experience to Sam. Meg schools Sam on some culture before inviting Sam to explore her body. The chemistry between these two women is fantastic, and Bree’s focus keeps her purpose clear: making the sex incredibly authentic. It’s wonderful to finally be with Sam as she has a positive sexual experience. Kristen shows fantastic emotional range as we see that wonderful look on her face after her first orgasm with a woman. Meg lends Sam an XXX VHS tape (oh, the 90s!) and shares some constructive advice on grooming. We can see the light in her eyes at the end of the labyrinth.
March/April – Kristen Scott, Kenna James, Kendra Spade, Casey Calvert & Maya Kendrick
“I don’t, like, have any problems with gay people or anything; one of my really good friends is gay.” – (Whitney Wright as Teresa)
Sam is becoming more comfortable with her body. A few weeks have gone by, and Sam is already feeling the positive influence of a guiding hand. Of course, Sam ruins Meg’s VHS, and rather gracelessly tries to hide it from the oppressive curiosity of dad. At school, Sam finally catches the attention of her crush Meg; cigarettes will kill you, but they really are the empyreal ice-breaker. Meg and Sam spend some together, and Sam throws herself out there to her crush. Sam is shot down—albeit kindly—but no less painful. Another straight girl. Again, Kristen is great in this scene, as your heart will drop with her eyes. The routine heartbreak of dating is just another level of hell entirely for a queer kid searching for love. Fortunately, Meg comes to Sam’s rescue again by dragging her to her very first LGBQT support meeting, where she recognizes another classmate: the lovely Sara played by the oh-so-sweet Kendra Spade, along with the long out-and-proud Maya Kendrick and Casey Calvert.
Later, Sam fantasizes about her new friends and allies, as well as her crush, as she seems to be finally coming to terms that it’s okay to embrace what she really wants.
May – Kristen Scott & Kendra Spade
“I didn’t really have a story, but I got to listen to everyone else’s.” – (Kristen Scott as Sam)
Sam does have a story, she just hasn’t realized its inherent value yet. Sara approaches JC and Sam at lunch, and JC being the amazing sidekick that he is, knows when it’s time to jet and give the two young women space. Sara and Sam eventually become girlfriends. This gives Sam the confidence she needs to come out to her mom in a touching scene so real-yet-sweet and brimming with hope that you’ll choke up.
Later, Sam and Sara have a birthday date that leads Sam to another positive sexual connection with another woman. And Bree leaves us with a hope that avoids any cloying sentimentality, but with a young woman who can be loved, and now can authentically love herself….
Thanks Bree, for sharing your story. This movie is a gift to anybody who grew up queer. The 90s now feel like a different epoch entirely, but Teenage Lesbian is needed now more than ever; queer kids are still having their narratives denied. Sex positivity is still railed against. Teenage Lesbian is as cathartic, endearing, and as wonderfully awkward as a first kiss. And remember, It’s okay to love someone! …and yourself!
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