Put in simple terms, Below Her Mouth is a story about a girl meets a girl except that the latter is engaged to a boy. It’s a tender lesbian romance that showcases the sexual awakening of one of its lead characters. But it’s also one that could do with a lot more conversation and a little less action, because these two lovers get very busy to the point that they do very little else.
The story begins with a Swedish-born roofer named Dallas (model, Erika Linder) who is living in Toronto with her live-in girlfriend. Dallas breaks up with her partner and is quite cold and callous about the whole thing and sometimes her motivations in this film seem a little unclear. Model, Erika Linder makes her acting debut and she shows a lot of promise.
Natalie Krill also stars as Jasmine, a fashion editor whose male fiancé Rile (Sebastian Pigott) is away on a work trip. Jasmine goes to a bar to let her hair down and she encounters Dallas for the first time. Dallas propositions Jasmine but the latter initially refuses. Eventually the pair hook-up and they become so consumed by their own steamy, love affair that they engage in lots of sensual and explicit sex.
April Mullen acts as the director of this film and it was one that was produced with a female-only crew, which is commendable. It is nice to watch things (particularly the sex scenes) from the female gaze for a change and it is obvious that Linder and Krill share chemistry. But what this film lacks from newcomer writer, Stephanie Fabrizi is some more story and character development. There are times when it is hard for audiences to understand why the pair are attracted to each other beyond the obvious physical lust and this detracts from the proceedings. The character’s backstories and overall personalities could have done with a little more detail as well.
Below Her Mouth is a passionate lesbian drama about an unexpected love affair and the growth of one woman’s sexuality. The dialogue is rather hollow and non-existent but as a study in female pleasure and sexuality it does at least contain some realistic love scenes. This female love story, which is made by women is ultimately a satisfactory one because it showcases some of what a girl wants and needs, it’s just a shame that there was more to cover.
Review Score: ONE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Below Her Mouth played at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival. On April 28th, it will receive a limited cinematic release in North America and will be released on demand.
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