Polish filmmaker Alina Skrzeszewska’s documentary portrait of life on the streets for two Southern California misfits is more sensational than enlightening. Homeless African American lesbian couple Teri and Tiahna struggle with mental illness, periods of incarceration, trouble in the Skid Row section of Los Angeles, conflicts with social services, and battles with each other. Over the course of a year, Skrzeszewska follows older and tougher Teri and younger Tiahna as they try to hold onto love and comfort in their union despite constant challenges. But as pressures mount and some hopes don’t work out, the two get into scrapes over numerous issues (some of them pretty absurd, such as literally spilled milk). And when a serious domestic crisis breaks out at one point, Game Girls can’t help but resemble something out of tabloid video. Skrzeszewska’s problem is not quite knowing what to do with much of her well-intended material, which veers dangerously close to voyeurism in the absence of a clearer theme and stronger narrative. Extras include additional interviews. Optional. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)
Game Girls
(2019) 82 min. DVD: $24.99. Breaking Glass Pictures (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. Volume 34, Issue 5
Game Girls
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