Loosely inspired by Joyce Carol Oates’ controversial novel, _Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang_, Annette Haywood Carter has adapted the book into a film centered on female empowerment and rebellion. Featuring Angelina Jolie, Hedy Burress, Jenny Lewis, Jenny Shimizu, and Sarah Rosenberg in its cast, the movie is largely driven by women's stories. Set in the 1990s in Portland, Oregon, it follows a teenage girl named Maddy Wirtz (Burress) as she recalls her senior year. She then encounters a mysterious young woman (Jolie), and upon learning of the sexual abuse Violet (Rosenberg) and Rita (Lewis) endured from Mr. Buttinger (John Diehl), she and the other girls decide to seek revenge. Maddy discovers that the girl’s name is Legs, who tells her about an abandoned house upriver where she can stay. Later at school, Maddy and the others learn they've been reported for assaulting a teacher. Suspended from school and unable to retrieve her art portfolio, Maddy and the girls retreat to the abandoned house. Legs then insists that they break into the school to get it back. Their plan initially goes well until Goldie (Shimizu) finds an unflattering photo of herself; she pauses to smoke a joint and inadvertently sets off the school’s sprinkler system. The girls frantically try to escape the school, evading police and firefighters. They succeed in returning to the house, where Legs decides to commemorate the night with a tattoo. She then brands the others as they drink wine and smoke. The next day, Maddy's boyfriend Ethan (Peter Facinelli) is surprised to find that she has assaulted a teacher and gotten a tattoo. The girls read a letter from another student who reveals she was also pursued by Buttinger. Later that night, while dancing, their fun is interrupted by the local jocks, who threaten them because they are their coach's son. Maddy tells them to leave, while Rita flirts with one of the jocks. The group then begins roaming the streets at night, visiting a skatepark, sharing drinks, and walking on the Brooklyn Bridge. Their activities are interrupted when Goldie’s dad (Chris Mulkey) demands she come home; Legs reacts angrily when he slaps her. Back at the house, Legs tells Maddy that she lost her mother and has never seen her father, and they share a tender moment while looking at the night sky. The following day, one of the jock’s girlfriends asks Maddy for a favor, but it turns out to be a trap. Just as she is about to be sexually assaulted, Legs intervenes, pulls a knife, and forces the jocks to let Maddy go. The girls then get into a car for a joyride; Legs' reckless driving attracts the attention of patrolling police officers, and they end up totaling the car after it rolls over. Though not seriously injured, they are charged with carjacking, resisting arrest, and assault with a deadly weapon. Cindy, the girlfriend, lies to the judge, resulting in Legs being sent to a youth correctional center. As the group separates, they begin to struggle; Goldie runs away from home and joins a drug house. Cindy returns to the courthouse, feeling guilty for her lie, and confesses to the judge. Maddy learns of Goldie's whereabouts and brings her back to the house. Legs is released and returns, but her homecoming celebration is cut short when Maddy shows her Goldie, who is suffering from heroin withdrawal. Legs decides that getting money from Goldie’s father for rehab is the only way to help her. Tension rises when he refuses, so Legs picks up a pistol and points it at him. The girls then take him hostage and bring him back to the house. Legs hands the gun to Rita, while she considers another plan. Maddy realizes that they are holding Goldie’s father for ransom and suggests they are going about it all wrong. Legs expresses her frustration toward her own father. The girls decide he should see Goldie, who goes upstairs and startles Rita. Rita accidentally fires the gun, grazing his shoulder. Maddy now recognizes how dangerous and violent the situation has become and urges the girls to take Goldie’s father to a hospital. They agree, but Maddy notices Legs is missing. She finds her thumbing for a ride on the Brooklyn Bridge and pleads with her to stay in Portland. Legs persuades Maddy to join her on the road instead. As Maddy watches Legs board a truck and drive away, she learns that Goldie and her father have resolved their issues. Maddy goes on to become a successful artist who has traveled the world. The girls manage to remain in contact and reminisce about the past, even though they never saw Legs again. While the movie received negative reviews, it was commercially successful. It stays true to the original novel but omits some details; however, the filmmakers took creative liberties modernizing the story. The original narrative concerned New York girls who formed a gang in post-World War II New York City, making it easily relatable to contemporary times. The movie relies heavily on themes of misandry and feminism, as well as rape culture. The casting is exceptionally done; Angelina Jolie delivers a powerful performance as the femme fatale Legs Sadovsky, while Hedy Burress is charming as Maddy, with the others holding their own. Legs represents the girl Maddy aspires to be, while Maddy embodies the guidance that Legs needs. Maddy has morals and direction, whereas Legs is a rebel. One of the most memorable scenes is the nighttime rooftop scene where Legs and Maddy watch the night sky. If you’re a fan of the original novel, this film might not appeal to you. However, if you enjoy independent films and are an Angelina Jolie enthusiast, I highly recommend it. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Source on TMDB