All the Real Girls

2003 Drama

David Gordon Green, who in 2000 made a splash on the festival circuit with his independent debut feature, George Washington, directed this drama about two people entering into a mature romantic relationship -- the sort that neither has been accustomed to. Paul (Paul Schneider) is a guy in his mid-'20s who lives in a small Southern town, where he earn a living fixing cars for his uncle. A man with little in the way of ambition, Paul still lives with his mother, Elvira (Patricia Clarkson), and still hangs out with his best friend from high school, rowdy Tip (Shea Whigham), and their buddies Bo (Maurice Compte) and Bust-Ass (Danny McBride). Among his friends, Paul has a reputation as a ladies' man, but he's not at all good with long-term relationships; most of Paul's romances last only a few weeks, and he's slept with nearly every girl in town who's worth having. Deep down inside, Paul senses that he would like to lead a different life, and that feeling becomes all the more clear when he meets Noel (Zooey Deschanel), Tip's teenage sister who has come back home after attending a boarding school. Noel is smarter and deeper than the girls Paul is used to, while Noel is taken with his charm, wit, and down-to-earth nature. Paul and Noel soon fall in love, but for Paul this is a different sort of relationship than he's accustomed to -- Noel is still a virgin, and her contemplative nature gives him a desire to be a better, stronger person. However, Tip doesn't approve of Paul dating his younger sister, which leads to a rift between these longtime friends. All the Real Girls was awarded a Special Jury Prize at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival; Patricia Clarkson's performance was also cited by the jury. more..

Director: David Gordon Green

Starring: Paul Schneider, Zooey Deschanel, Patricia Clarkson, Shea Whigham, Benjamin Mouton

Reviews

  • David Gordon Green's second film, is too subtle and perceptive, and knows too much about human nature, to treat their lack of sexual synchronicity as if it supplies a plot.

    Roger Ebert - The Chicago Sun-Times

    29 November 2012

  • It's thrillingly original, lyrical, and wise, and the filmmaker conveys the mutable intensity of young love with the authoritative originality of an important filmmaker.

    Lisa Schwarzbaum - Entertainment Weekly

    29 November 2012

  • Remarkable for its genuine, unpretentious lyricism.

    Dana Stevens - The New York Times

    29 November 2012

  • The movie may take five extra minutes to end and could do with one less sunset but . . . other than that it's damned near perfect.

    Stephen Hunter - The Washington Post

    29 November 2012

  • Like his (David Gordon Green's) debut feature of three years ago, the exquisite "George Washington," this new one has my heart, and I think it will have yours.

    Joe Morgenstern - The Wall Street Journal

    29 November 2012

Awards

  • Best Actress

    Chlotrudis Awards (2004)

     
  • Best Female Lead

    Independent Spirit Awards (2004)

     
  • Zooey Deschanel

    Mar del Plata Film Festival (2003)

  • Patricia Clarkson

    San Diego Film Critics Society Awards (2003)

  • Dramatic

    Sundance Film Festival (2003)