THE original French title of this flick translates as “Birth of Octo puses,” and it’s a more accurate description of the complicated relationships in this well-acted coming-of-age story, the impressive debut of filmmaker Céline Sciamma.
It’s set in a Parisian suburb, where a tomboyish brunette (Pauline Acquart) develops a crush on a gorgeous blond swimming star (Adele Haenel), much to the distress of the brunette’s plump former BFF (Louise Blachere). If this were made in English a few years ago, the stars would have been Ellen Page, Scarlett Johansson and America Ferrera.
Though “Water Lilies” endlessly teases the audience with its sapphic subtext and young female flesh, Sciamma seems most interested in showing how extremely cruel adolescent girls can be to each other.
In French, with English subtitles. Running time: 90 minutes. Not rated (brief nudity, sexuality). At the Sunshine, Houston Street and Second Avenue.