When we think of coming-of-age stories, so often is it pictured as a teen or young adult navigating their life towards a sense of maturity. The truth is though, such a term can really be applied to anyone who is experiencing a reset in their life – whether it’s emotional, professional or psychological – which is exactly what actress-writer Marisa Coughlan leans on in the sweet Blue Eyed Girl, a dramedy of both personal and universal facets.
Inspired by her own life, Coughlan stars as 40-something Jane, a married actress not exactly living the professional dream in Los Angeles, who returns to her home in Minnesota when she learns her father (Beau Bridges) has attempted suicide. Both being back in her home town and facing her father’s mortality sets Jane on a certain path of reassessment, bringing her marriage into question when she reconnects with an old flame (Sam Trammell‘s Harrison) in the process.
With Coughlan being an actress and moving back to Minnesota with her husband and four children, there is a sense of authenticity to Blue Eyed Girl‘s narrative beats, but she isn’t afraid to indulge in some genre flourishes, with Jane’s sisters, Alex (Eliza Coupe, a standout) and Cici (Bridey Elliott), both specifically created for the film, adding some comedic levity to proceedings with their banter. Alex is the witty older sister who lives quite the lavish, surface-level life in Minnesota, tucked away in her waterfront property with her third husband, giving off rich mom energy (even though she’s childless) with her impossibly chic wardrobe.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, baby sister Cici is the reigning queen of the local renaissance festival – a role she takes very seriously (much to Alex and Jane’s amusement) – even so much as showing up to the hospital to see their recovering father in full garb, something that obviously tickles the family. Whilst Blue Eyed Girl is very much Jane’s story and requires the emotional light and shade of her predicaments, Coughlan’s script shines when the sisters are let loose on each other, creating an organic bond that crackles whenever they fall into sibling quips and quarrels.
Jane’s dynamic with Alex and Cici, as well as the bond between her and her father, is where the film feels at its strongest. It’s something of a shame then that her relationship with Harrison gets as much screen time as it does, as there’s never the strongest chemistry generated between Coughlan and Trammell, and he never measures up as a character worth any type of risk when in comparison to Jane’s husband, Cal (Freddy Rodriguez). Trammell is a fine performer, and suitably handsome to boot, but Rodriguez is so instantly charming that we can never quite understand why Jane even contemplates the happiness of her marriage. That being said, any moments of discord between a couple can often lead to wild “What if?” ponderings, and so the familiarity of Cal may seem temporarily mundane in comparison to the excitedness of Harrison.
Emotions are complicated though, as is life, so the unpredictable, inexplainable nature of Jane’s actions all make sense in the grand look at her life at a time when she’s unsure how she travels forward without certain guarantees. Coughlan has always been a standout performer, if underappreciated, and both her comedic capabilities and emotional depth help Blue Eyed Girl elevate any of its standard structure. It’s a simple film, but one that proves immensely watchable and investing as it explores coming to terms with who you are versus who, and where, you thought you’d be.
THREE AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Blue Eyed Girl is available On Digital and On Demand from November 21st, 2025 in the United States.
