The Girls: Sri Lankan Coming-of-Age Romance Reviewed

Sumitra Peries' 1978 film, "The Girls," is a Sri Lankan cinematic gem that offers a poignant and understated coming-of-age romance. The film, shot in lucid monochrome, features natural and unselfconscious performances that lend it a sense of freshness and warmth. Despite moments that verge on melodrama, "The Girls" excels in its suppression of emotion, with much of its poignancy derived from passions that remain unspoken. The narrative unfolds with a wistful hope for a happy ending, a resolution that director Peries ultimately withholds from the audience.

The story centers on Kusum (Vasanthi Chathurani), a studious and serious teenager from a disadvantaged family who has earned a scholarship to a prestigious school. Her father suffers from a serious illness, and her mother works diligently to support the family. Kusum shares a tense and often quarrelsome relationship with her sister, Soma (Jenita Samaraweera), who is portrayed as more mischievous and flighty, frequently receiving letters from boys. The narrative of Kusum's sobering experiences is initiated through a flashback, prompted by the arrival of a visiting local dignitary, identified as the "divisional revenue officer," to her village.