A charming and poignant exploration of the complexities of adolescent friendship, “Extra Geography” is a standout debut from director Molly Manners. The film follows the story of Minna and Flic, two best friends navigating the challenges of life at an English boarding school in the early 2000s.
Played by remarkable newcomers Galaxie Clear and Marnie Duggan, the two girls share a deep, almost mystical bond, moving in sync and sharing everything from dreams of Oxbridge admission to a disdain for the opposite sex. Manners, a BAFTA nominee for her work on the Netflix series “One Day,” expertly captures the intoxicating rhythm of their platonic intimacy, with the first act of the film a mesmerising symphony of female camaraderie.
However, as the girls embark on a summer project inspired by “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – in which they attempt to force themselves to fall in love with their aloof geography teacher, Miss Delavigne (Alice Englert) – cracks begin to show in their friendship. The determined and dominant Minna starts to outshine the more withdrawn Flic, sparking envy and a growing rift between the two.
Adapted by playwright and Succession writer Miriam Battye from a short story by Rose Tremain, “Extra Geography” follows in the tradition of films like “Booksmart” and “Honor Society,” featuring prickly, unapologetically ambitious female protagonists driven by a thirst for prestige rather than romance. The film’s spikey, propulsive quality is a perfect match for the charged, ever-shifting dynamic between Minna and Flic.
The performances from Clear and Duggan are nothing short of extraordinary, with the former projecting a captivating blend of inviting charm and formidable force, and the latter conveying a brittle vulnerability that gradually gives way to a Ferrante-esque bitterness. The film’s refusal to take sides, instead allowing both perspectives to shine, is a testament to Manners’ assured directorial hand.
Ultimately, “Extra Geography” is a refreshingly bittersweet exploration of the fragility of teenage friendship, capturing the ways in which the pressures of growing up can test even the most seemingly unbreakable bonds. It’s a confident, stylish debut that marks Manners as a filmmaker to watch.
