In this touching and insightful documentary, filmmakers Samantha Marlowe and Frances Elliot follow a couple battling to stay together as one of them transitions genders. Girl Like You captures the ripple effect as the couple confront the effects of new body parts and navigate their own evolving sexual identities.
Review: Australian filmmakers Samantha Marlowe and Frances Elliot began capturing their best friends’ relationship on camera in 2015 as part of a documentary series. Realising that the project had cinematic potential, they turned it into Girl Like You, a touching and insightful documentary about a young, charismatic couple navigating the challenges of gender transition.
Elle, who knew she was transgender from a young age, met Lauren while still living as a man. Because of their strong connection, Elle revealed her feelings about her gender early into their courtship. Although considering herself a cisgender straight female, Lauren accepted Elle’s truth, and their love story blossomed.
The film’s singularity lies in how Elle’s transition would have made for a fascinating theme in itself, but Marlowe and Elliot give Lauren enough room to create a frank and engaging exploration of both of their evolving sexual identities. The couple’s youthful love emanates from the screen, but as Elle finally starts to come into her real, authentic self, the relationship suffers, and the decision to go through a sex-change operation looms large over their future.
In the end, the directors’ close association with their subjects seamlessly translates into an intimate and empathetic look into Elle’s and Lauren’s psyches and their brave, emotional journey.
Pepe Ruiloba
