I Believe In Unicorns Movie Review (2014)
A poetic and haunting coming-of-age film about a teen girl looking to escape her heavy reality, I Believe In Unicorns is simple, but affecting.
One of the most unsettling times of life is likely when we transition from awkward adolescent to awkward teen. Your hormones are all over the place, your body is changing, and you are learning that you are your own person outside of the home you grew up in. It doesn’t happen all at once, that growth can take many years. And although we’ve all gone through it, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard anyone say they’d love to do it again.
I Believe In Unicorns is about Davina, a shy high school sophomore with an active fantasy life who develops a crush on Sterling, a local punk-rocker kid who hangs out at the park. When they eventually meet, Sterling invites Davina to meet up with him the next day and they begin a whirlwind relationship that turns into a road trip.
This indie film is one of the most realistic coming-of-age films I have seen, and it is extremely triggering. Davina has very little self-esteem, spending her life outside of school tending to her mother with multiple sclerosis with no father or outside help. She dreams of unicorns and nymphs, and has a running story in her mind of what happens to them. Her eyes are filled with wonder at the attention from this boy and the innocent possibilities of a better life with him.
Sterling is a rebel, directing Davina where to meet him by flirtily writing on her arm and later committing some minor thefts that she decides are cute after moments of doubt. Sterling is very interested in a sexual relationship with Davina, and when she sees that this is the best way to keep his attention, she complies.
As time goes on, though, Davina wonders if Sterling is with her because he likes her or because she is “all in” on him. He feels like her partner in crime. She just wants to be loved, and the subtle and toxic components of the young, unhealthy relationship are all there. You know it long before Davina does. She sees it, but she doesn’t want to. And in the constant battle between her home life, the potential of her childlike fantasies coming true, and this new adventure with a guy who is always reeling her back in, it can be very difficult to watch.
Even though there is a fantasy component to this film, the realism makes it very uncomfortable at times. It is very effective in reminding you of the teen that you may have been, even if this wasn’t your specific situation.
This is a low-budget indie with cute fantasy montages and lovely moments of Davina as a nymph that clash with realizing that her dreams are fading into what is actually happening and potentially painful. A really good film with some very heavy events.
Runtime: 80 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: Not Rated (But I would say R)
Languages Spoken In The Film: English
Should You Watch It? Yes, but it’s a tough watch
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Available: Free on DailyMotion and may be available for free on other streaming platforms
