Watch Love That Boy

Love That Boy is a coming-of-age drama film directed by Andrea Dorfman and written by Shannon Jardine. The film was released in 2003 and stars Nadia Litz, Nikki Barnett, Adrien Dixon, and others. The film follows 18-year old, Phoebe Wilson (Nadia Litz) living in Nova Scotia with her bohemian mother, Lavinia (Nikki Barnett). Phoebe is a quirky and artistic girl who has been homeschooled by her free-spirited mother her entire life. Lavinia is a struggling artist and poet who encourages Phoebe's creativity while neglecting her daughter's need for structure and stability.

Phoebe is a virgin, and she often feels embarrassed about her lack of sexual experience, especially around her more experienced peers. When a handsome boy named Art (Adrien Dixon) moves into the neighborhood, Phoebe becomes smitten with him. Art, who is from a wealthy family, is everything Phoebe is not, confident, and worldly. Despite their differences, Art is similarly drawn to Phoebe's uniqueness and innocence.

As the two teenagers begin to get closer, Phoebe's mother becomes increasingly unhappy, feeling sidelined by Art's presence in her daughter's life. Lavinia tries to sabotage the relationship, accusing Art of being responsible for her daughter's decline in productivity and personality. She also tries to discourage Phoebe from pursuing Art and suggests that she focus on her art instead.

Meanwhile, Phoebe's best friend, Stella (Tina Milo Milivojevic) tries to help Phoebe navigate her new relationship while also keeping a secret of her own. Stella is in love with Phoebe and desires more than their platonic friendship.

The film explores the complexities of mother-daughter relationships and first loves through Phoebe's journey of self-discovery. It also highlights the differences between the wealthy and poor in a small town and how these differences impact young people's social lives. Ultimately, the film reflects on the different ways people try to assert their identities while coming to terms with their past experiences.

Love That Boy is a beautifully shot film with stunning landscapes and artful vignettes depicting Phoebe's relationship with her mother, Lavinia's poetry, and Phoebe's own unique artistic work. The soundtrack, which features a mix of classic and contemporary songs, adds to the film's overall moodiness and melancholic tone.

Nadia Litz delivers a remarkable performance as Phoebe, portraying the character's awkwardness and naivete with remarkable naturalism. Nikki Barnett plays Lavinia with passion and intensity, effectively displaying the character's conflicted emotions. Adrien Dixon is equally compelling in his portrayal of Art, bringing depth and nuance to a character that could have easily been one-dimensional.

Overall, Love That Boy is a touching and poignant film that explores the themes of identity, love, family, and artistry in a well-crafted and thoughtful way. It is a must-see for anyone interested in independent cinema that deals with the complexities of the human experience.