This story is set in the "in-between" time of a girl's life, when she is no longer a child and not yet a woman. We open with our heroine, Maeve, putting on her new snow white bra, and stepping out into the world as a young woman. She has an obsession with breasts and bras and can't help but stare at other girls and women, even the head nun doesn't escape her gaze. Otherwise, her world revolves around her three friends, Ruth, Claire and Orla, who are more experienced in the ways of the world. They wear bras already (except Claire the feminist) and they've all had boyfriends. The new bra is a start but they really hope Maeve can find a fella, even offering kissing lessons to prepare her. What no one expects, least of all Maeve, is that she should snare the local sixteen-year old heartthrob. Maeve is so smitten with him that she lets her friends down when they need her the most...
Acting
Ailish McCarthy's painfully authentic teenage uncertainty.
Writing
Quinn's script captures the mortifying specificity of girlhood rituals.
Costume
That bra is basically a fifth character.
Director
Marian Quinn
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Marian Quinn based much of the film on her own Dublin upbringing in the 1970s, though it's set in the 90s—proving Catholic school girlhood is somehow timeless.
Aidan Quinn plays Maeve's father; he's Marian Quinn's actual brother, making this a family affair of awkward coming-of-age.
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