Let’s take a trip down memory lane all the way back to 2007. Do you remember the much-loved Spanish web series Girl Seeks Girl (Chica Busca Chica)? Did you just sing the title in Spanish? Because then yeah, you remember it. But it’s okay if you don’t, because director Sonia Sebastián is back with another gem—the movie Girl Gets Girl (De Chica en Chica). While the names have changed, many of the same fan favorites returned to play some very familiar roles.
The movie opens with Inés (Celia Freijeiro) putting the moves on a sexy stranger in a hotel bathroom. The girl’s got swagger—I’ll give her that—but no tact. The hotel is hosting a wake…for Inés’ girlfriend’s uncle. By the way, that stranger in the bathroom? That would be Inés’ girlfriend’s younger cousin. And because there’s always room for one more at a funeral party, Inés’ ex-business associate and lover Kirsten (Jane Badler) shows up with a gun. It seems she lent Inés $10,000 for her erotic novel and has seen no return on the book that hasn’t even been written yet.
You know, you’d think having a girlfriend in the Miami Police Department would be useful, but it turns out that’ll do shit for you if you cheat on her. Inés ends up in jail right along with Kirsten, which is always the perfect place to do some soul searching. When did things go so wrong? Well, about 10 years ago in Madrid when she stood her pregnant fiancée up.
That would be the neurotic Verónica (Cristina Pons), who gave birth to her daughter, Candela, shortly after Inés ran away. Candela has grown up in a home full of gay and gay-inclined women, and that seems to be working out for everybody just fine. But Veró’s got some interesting parenting methods, including thinking it’s a good idea to throw your daughter a “period party.” Works for me!
Veró’s good friend and housemate Lola (Sandra Collantes) is an obvious invite, although maybe she wouldn’t be if Veró knew she and Inés had been kissing on her wedding day. Lola’s ex Javier also gets an invitation, and naturally he brings his pregnant wife Blanca as his plus one. Knowing he would, a bitter Lola enlists the infatuated Gustavo as her fake boyfriend. Yup, it’s going to be that kind of party.
And who arrives just in time to crash it? Inés! Suffice it to say, no one’s thrilled to see her. No one but the adorable Marta (María Ballesteros) that is. Adorable AND gay (and semi-closeted, I should add). On that note, there are so many queer ladies in this film. The suburbs of Madrid are clearly the place to be.
Veró is furious over Inés’ return. All she left her with almost a decade ago was a brief explanation on a Post-It Note (which Veró subsequently had laminated). And now, after all these years, she’s come crawling back to Veró, set on winning her heart again. Well, that’s Veró’s interpretation of the situation…
Inés only gets to stay at the party because Candela has decided to use her appearance to her advantage. She’ll ask her mom to let Inés stay, but only if Inés helps her discover the identity of her biological father. Inés has a very specific reason for wanting to stay (let’s call it “Operation Lola”), so Candela’s got herself a deal.
Even after all these years, Lola and Inés are still very hot for each other. Yes, this is a comedy first and foremost, but when these two get down to it, it feels like a different kind of funny.
There’s too much going down for the shit not to hit the fan. When Veró finds out about the lingering feelings between the two and Lola discovers what Veró got up to 10 years ago—how do you say “catfight” in Spanish? Then add a visit from Kirsten (who is a member of the National Rifle Association) to the mix, and it becomes unclear if synthetic blood is the only kind of blood we’re going to see at this period party.
Girl Gets Girl is mucho fun, and funny. Don’t take it, or yourself, too seriously and you’re bound to have a good time. If you enjoyed the web series, you’ll certainly appreciate the movie, which stays true to the heart of the show. And really, a comedy chock-full of mostly queer female characters? Well yeah, somebody could have found a way to screw even that up, but fortunately we’re in good hands with Sonia Sebastián.
Girl Gets Girl hits Spanish theaters on September 25. Check out the movie’s Facebook page for future screening details and distribution news.
