Fast Girls

If you ignore the stereotyping and predictability of this film and concentrate on the feel-good factor, Fast Girls certainly entertains the excitement in the build up to the Olympics in London this year, 2012.

Contrasting right from the start, the two leading actresses, Shania (Lenora Crichlow) and Lisa (Lily James) fight not only to win their races, but also against their individual family problems.  Like two sides of a coin Shania is a street-savvy, independent hot-head and Lisa is an equally competitive individual who bares the intense pressure from her father – a demanding and emotionally detached character seemingly living his life through his daughter.

The elements of rejection from all angles drive the emotional content of the film.  There is always a sense of “running” in the film – not just on the athletic track, but the athletes themselves, running away from their issues.

But, not to get too deep, Fast Girls far from dwelling on the characters melodramas, instead uses them to drive the girls’ passions: the climax being to get them to the World Championships as part of the Great Britain Relay Team.

Director Regan Hall has done a good job pumping this film with adrenaline.  The up-beat music by artists such as Example and Labrinth, the close up shots of taut muscles and furrowed brows and the elements of patriarchy weaving their way around the girls, knitting them tighter together for their ultimate performance – the finale.

Unfortunately, this film lacks any real substance; the outcome really is foreseeable, but that said, leading up to the Olympics, the film’s subject is very topical.

It is refreshing to see fairly new faces and the actors successfully come across as the fictional athletes they are portraying.

Overall, this is an easy-watch film that will leave you bustling for this summer’s Olympics!

Jennifer Atkinson

Fast Girls will be released nationwide on 15^th June 2012.

Watch the trailer for Fast Girls here: