Foxfire (1996)

[7]

Angelina Jolie stars as a transient teen who helps four other young ladies defend themselves against a predatory high school teacher. They form a bond, get expelled from school together, and take up residence in an abandoned home together. Their ‘gang’ gets a reputation and inspires other young women to stand up for themselves, but their rebellious recreational activities end up getting them in trouble with their parents and the law.

Foxfire reminds me of a quasi-lesbian Shane, with Jolie playing the inspirational figure who devastates her admirers whenever she departs for the next town. The first half of the film has a positive ‘girl power’ vibe that is fun to watch develop, especially when the girls sneak into school at night and accidentally set off the sprinklers. They narrowly miss being caught by the police and retreat to their dilapidated hangout for a prolonged sequence in which they drink, smoke, and take turns tattooing each other’s chests. Director Annette Haywood-Carter (a veteran script supervisor making her feature directorial debut) turns it into a beautiful tone poem moment — the visceral and emotional centerpiece of the movie.

Jolie shows hints of her Emmy and Oscar-winning potential in Foxfire. Her character is haunted by a mysterious past, and despite her tough-gal veneer, you can tell there’s a fragile soul inside. Jolie hides it well, only letting it break the surface for a few split seconds here and there.

The second half of the story, based on a book by Joyce Carol Oates, gets dark, almost betraying the inspirational intentions of the first half. The women’s rebellion becomes dangerous and unfocused, bent on a bittersweet ending whether you like it or not. But, hey — it was fun while it lasted, and those chest tattoos will make sure you never forget the time Angelina Jolie came to town and shook shit up for a little while.