Girls Town (1996)

The close-knit trio of feisty high school seniors at the center of this grrrl-affirming, shoestring, improvisatory drama live in a world where black and white students mix easily, where socioeconomic differences wash away in the warmth of girlfriendhood, and where young women are raped but afraid to tell their closest friends. In other words, everything feels real-ish, but nothing quite sticks as believable in Girls Town, a good-hearted feature debut from R.E.M. video director Jim McKay. Still, there's a nice, sisterly spirit to the production, boosted by an earnest cast led by the tough and compelling Lili Taylor (I Shot Andy Warhol). As an unmarried teenage mother with a bullying ex-boyfriend, she's the most experienced actress on the set. Yet she gives plenty of room to Bruklin Harris (Dangerous Minds) and newcomer Anna Grace to do their you go! thing. With an all-girl soundtrack capped by Queen Latifah cheering ''U.N.I.T.Y.'' B

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