'Princess Cyd', 2017

Today I watched ‘Princess Cyd’ (2017) on Netflix, and I’m pretty pleased that it’s my first movie review because I liked it so much! The movie follows Cyd, a young girl who underwent intense family trauma at age 8. As a high school sophomore, her father sends her to live with her Aunt Miranda, a semi-famous writer, for a summer in Chicago. Far from her home state of South Carolina, Cyd slowly finds her place in this temporary home, as she bonds with her aunt, and especially after she meets a new friend, Katie. For the sake of not giving away more of the plot, I’ll just leave it at that (but it’s clear that Cyd’s relationship with Katie is more than platonic from the start).

Some things I liked: The dialogue between characters is realistic, as well as the triumphs and tragedies that befall them. Also, this movie offers more than a burgeoning romance between the two girls; Cyd’s relationship with her aunt is just as (if not more) important to the plot, and it was just as sweet to watch their bond grow. Certain aspects of their lives begin to mirror one another, and the audience gets to see both Cyd and her aunt Miranda learning to balance those many aspects. (Also, as a jockish redheaded lesbian, it was pretty cool to see a main character who also occupied those traits). Other pluses include: varied representations of sexuality and gender expression (examples: Katie’s sick haircut, Cyd in an amazing tux, and more queer characters than just those two girls); bold and honest discussions of other important issues (including body image, queer sex, and sexuality); and seeing a film that blows the Bechdel test out of the water, celebrating women and their bonds with one another.

Some things I didn’t like: Cyd’s character grew on me throughout the movie, but initially, she’s not a very likeable character. If you can get through her blunt attitude at the beginning of the film (and some small mistakes she makes throughout), I promise she has other traits that make her more than redeemable. (In fact, I found that Cyd’s faults make her an even more realistic character). The pacing of the movie was confusing at times; the viewer is under the impression that Cyd is staying with Miranda for a whole summer, but the movie seems to take place over the span of just a week or two. ‘Princess Cyd’ was directed by queer filmmaker Stephen Cone, and while I definitely admired this work, I’m trying to watch more movies directed by women (which, unfortunately, are harder to come by).

The five words I would use to describe this film: sweet, awkward, honest, charming, earnest.

My queer take: If you want to watch a movie about queer people that does start in tragedy but doesn’t end in it, this one’s for you. The movie is not only about the relationship between Cyd and Katie, but also Cyd’s relationship with her aunt, and with herself and her history. (That being said, the queer sex is pleasingly realistic). If you don’t trust my review, then trust the 80% of viewers (and staggering 94% of critics) on Rotten Tomatoes who gave the film a positive review.

CW: mentions of violence and sexual assault (but not explicitly pictured), a shot of self-harm scars.

“It is not a handicap… to have one thing but not another. To be one way and not another. We are different shapes and ways and our happiness is unique. There are no rules of balance.”