Age 12: Love with a Little L
Age 12: Love with a Little L

Movie spotlight

Age 12: Love with a Little L

1991
Movie
23 min
English

This film is depicts early lesbian sexuality, using reenacted scenes from the experience of a 12-year old girl as the platform for a meditation on forbidden desire, transgression, and Lacanian psychoanalytic concepts of identity formation. Raw adolescent memories counterpoint staged scenes, exploring mechanisms of power and submission.

Insights

IMDb6.4/10
Director: Randa HainesGenres: Drama, Family

Plot Summary

A sheltered 12-year-old girl named Katy is sent to live with her estranged father after her mother's death. She struggles to adjust to her new life, dealing with puberty, her father's new family, and the challenges of growing up. The film explores themes of identity, family relationships, and the transition from childhood to adolescence.

Critical Reception

Age 12: Love with a Little L was a made-for-television movie that garnered a mixed to positive reception, particularly praised for its sensitive portrayal of adolescent issues and its strong performances. It resonated with audiences for its relatable depiction of a young girl navigating difficult life changes and emerging into young adulthood.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its earnest and thoughtful exploration of teenage angst and family dynamics.

  • Meredith Baxter was noted for her performance as the struggling mother.

  • Seen as a somewhat dated but still touching story about growing up.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this television film, but it is generally remembered as a poignant drama for its time, offering a relatable journey through adolescence.

Fun Fact

The film was originally intended to be a theatrical release before being shifted to television, which was not uncommon for family dramas of the era.

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