The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love

Released in 1995, writer/director Maria Maggenti’s The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love stands the test of time. This funny, sweet, and lovely story about two young lesbians falling in love the first time presents an understated rebellious nature that channels Thelma & Louise. While it is not nearly as dramatic as that classic, Maggenti makes a solid statement for coming out and for high schoolers who are coming of age.

Set outside of New York City in a small town in the spring, the film features young actresses Laurel Holloman as Randy Dean and Nicole Ari Parker as Evie Roy. Randy is a tomboy with few school friends, an outsider, except for Frank, who is Latino and gay. Randy is failing out of high school in her senior year with the prospect of not graduating. However, she works at a gas station with the older Regina (Dale Dickey) and, on occasion, hooks up with a married woman Wendy (Maggie Moore).

But then Randy meets Evie, who she stops by the gas station, wondering about the tires on her Range Rover. Evie, a sophisticated, beautiful, wealthy girl whose successful single mom cannot get over her ex-husband and only wants the best for her daughter. Randy, who lives with her aunt and her lover and ex-lover, has very little and lives in a trailer with what appears to be three moms. Randy and Evie could not be more opposite, but even still, an attraction grows between them, and they go from friends to lovers.

“Randy and Evie could not be more opposite, but even still, an attraction grows…”

Making The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love even more appealing is the lack of cellphones, while excellent communication nonetheless exists. Randy and Evie have heartful and meaningful conversations uninterrupted or dictated by a phone. Despite the film’s 1995 release, the issues and problems of gay teenagers have not changed. Maggenti cleverly unfolds a story of fearless love between two girls with comedic humor that is fresh and timeless. Evie’s friends wonder why she couldn’t pick a prettier girl. Ali (John Elsen), Wendy’s ridiculous and crazy husband, is after Randy, and Lena (Toby Poser), Randy’s aunt’s eccentric ex-lover with no home, provide plenty of smiles and laughs.

When Evie breaks up with her boyfriend, Hayjay (Andrew Wright), she gives Randy Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman, which she cannot put down. As a relationship ensues of trading music and learning about one another with a new and brave attraction for each other, the two decide to have a decadent overnight at Evie’s house to celebrate her 18th birthday. At this turning point, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love comes together in a hilarious, dramatic ending where Randy and Evie end up in a motel room having to face a mob of mothers, friends, and others in a very “out” moment.

With a good script, great acting, and excellent locations, The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls is a low-budget romantic comedy with a big heart and direction. It should stay in constant rotation for those needing a slice of life no matter who you are. So, even if you missed it during its initial release, there’s no reason not to check it out now.