Flat Girls (2025)

So glad I gave it a go! Great watch(es) !

Everything was stunning, from the cinematography, acting, and location to the sound in the film. It's a queer, sapphic coming-of-age story. The movie is complex, heartwrenching, realistic, and relatable, with the characters facing life complexities, dilemmas, and struggles ranging from self-image, identity, love, dreams, differences in social class & opportunities, family/financial circumstances, etc. It's a total tearjerker with many details to catch.

The film isn't straightforward and allows room for one to think, interpret, and judge for themselves, which is very human in a way and as complex as we may be. It may not always be what it seems like, and when there are no explanations or feelings are kept in, that's when assumptions and misunderstandings occur. I truly enjoyed the style and everything about the film, although it left me bawling in the cinema with emotions to think over after.

Earnearn and Fairy are a perfect match! Their chemistry is natural and endearing while their acting is impressive. I love how their subtle yet expressive expressions and gaze reveals the characters feelings for us to catch and understand without having them to say anything. ᵖˡᵉᵃˢᵉ ˢᵘᵖᵖᵒʳᵗ ᵗʰᵉᵐᵎ ᴵ ᵈᶦᵈ ᵃᶠᵗᵉʳ ᵗʰᶦˢ ᵐᵒᵛᶦᵉ

There are so many reasons to rewatch it—the story, details, amazing acting, beautiful scenes, views, to the sound/bgm, etc.—it was an amazing experience watching it on the big screen. Another amazing film from GDH.
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***********SPOILERS starts here******************
Please *do not* read if you haven't watched it!!!
(personal perspective but it's up to each person.)
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Feelings:
In terms of who liked whom, Ann liked Jane. Ann's expression after Jane said she didn't know and felt nothing after they kissed shows her following along with Jane's reply. When Jane asked, "How are we supposed to feel when we kiss someone we like?" she replied, "I don't know; I guess you won't have any doubts, just this is it... it feels right," and teared up. I think it shows Ann realizing her own feelings, and the sadness that it isn't "mutual," yet she didn't force her sentiments on Jane when she didn't know.

Jane initially got jealous and upset whenever Ann and Tong were close without knowing why, but midway, Ann (and we) could see Jane slowly taking an interest in Tong as she got closer and more comfortable with him. Jane does what she does with Ann, like poking the cheek, and her gaze towards Tong was different compared to initially. Jane is still figuring out but what we know is Ann is very important to her.

Identity:
You can see Jane taking her chest strap on and off, which can symbolize her figuring out. In an earlier scene, Ann told Jane there was a clean one in another bag, which tells how close their bond is with no judgment. Even Jane's mom doesn't know that Jane wears it, while Ann helps Jane keep it a secret by helping with the laundry and giving it to her personally (the detailss) And similarly, Tong soon found out and didn't judge her at all.

Alleged relationship between Ann and Tong:
I felt like the whole relationship between Tong and Ann was a misunderstanding (with lots of misunderstandings). Based on Tong's character, his actions and Ann's character and determination. (Some of the scenes and dialogues has no clear basis yet it doesn't make much sense with how it "supposedly" went either. The movie wants you to think for yourself)

- It was Jane's perspective seeing Ann go to Tong's room to get her phone left on his bed.
(Jane sneaked into his room earlier, hid when Ann knocked on the door and Tong woke up to open the door for Ann. If Ann saw Jane inside, she would have misunderstood too. We don't know what exactly did or did not happen. Tong checking outside before Ann left; honestly, could be to prevent any misunderstanding, but Jane was inside the room.)
- That scene was the day after Tong comforted Ann with her dilemmas about giving up her dreams for her family to stay in the flat the night before. At Ann's young age, with all those responsibilities and worries on her shoulders, his words, "You can be something much better," "You don't have to be a big sister all the time, and "It's okay" are very telling of his character to me. He also mentioned, "If you need help with anything, you can always tell me."
- Before this, Tong was warm to the kids and treated Jane like his child because they were alike, just with his financial/family struggles. "All good cops have no money." I believe he is a good cop. (The sudden switch in the character and dynamic was too abrupt to follow along without any doubts.)
- Jane and Ann's misunderstanding at the court bench scene. There was already tension before anything else.
(Ann doesn't know what Jane saw, but she saw Tong and Jane being close and she thinks that Jane likes Tong.)
> Ann sees Jane thinking that Jane likes Tong while holding a new badminton racket she got from Tong (Her sis broke her old one)
> Jane sees Ann thinking that Tong and Ann are together, x2 now that she sees Ann with a new racket from Tong.
- Jane got upset and ran off; Ann chased after her.
/ More Jane and Ann's misunderstanding at the stair scene
> Ann not explaining anything to Jane. (I think Ann was masking her feelings and going off based on Jane's assumptions instead of explaining.) When Jane asked, "Do you know anything about love?" Ann replied, "Love only matters to those with money." "How can a person like me dare to love someone?" which Jane didn't catch.
- Jane's mom noticed Ann having more money, and Jane told her she probably received it from Tong because they're together. Her mom replied, "But he doesn't have money and even borrows from me."
- The court scene with Tong and Ann wasn't awkward at all
- Tong said he wanted to study law for a promotion and wants to learn English from Ann
(Ann receiving money from Tong could be from this or just pure kindness.)
- ***The pan-out scene with neighbors gossiping about Ann and Tong from above the court*** (seems like spreading rumors) + Ann seemingly uncomfortable expression + Tong's clueless expression seeing them.
- *When Jane was getting back her mom's money and questioned Tong for giving out money when he doesn't even have any, he said, "Ann's family is in need, and he's happy to be able to help with her situation even by just a little, just like how he's happy when he's able to take care of Jane." (He gets emotional after Jane leaves; it could be because of his reality. He doesn't have money for himself, let alone anyone else. Before this, he was on a call with his child; she told him he doesn't need to spend money on her and to save up the money so he's able to see her. Her mom told her that he is unable to come visit her because he has no money.)
- The rumours of Tong and Ann dating spread due to Jane. / Ann exploded at Jane because her mom is now tying her already bleak situation down with marriage to Tong for money. She did not want to be like her friend, tied to the flat (early balcony scene)
- Jane chasing Ann, who ran away to the pier
> Jane's "You won't marry him, right?" (misunderstanding)
> Ann's "Do you really like him that much?" to Jane (misunderstanding)
> Jane's "I don't know, but he is not good enough for you to stop your life for him." "Don't you want to leave this place"?
> Jane apologizing to Ann.
- Tong telling Ann to bring the kids tomorrow; he will bring them all to the cruise (This could be him knowing Ann was hurting (with her entire situation and everything that has happened) and wanting to make her happy, even a little.
- Ann tells Tong she will live with him immediately if he could give her 10m
- Tong said something along the lines of "Don't leave me; I'm trying my best, and I need time," to which Ann replied that she could not wait long. (If they were dating or already had some sort of relationship, I don't think Ann would have asked that. It felt like Ann was trying to find an escape, while Tong's response could stem from him already knowing that Ann wants to leave the flat and wanting to help, yet he is unable to help as much as he wants. With his circumstance, whereby his family left for money and he's unable to provide as much as he wanted for his child, it could have made him want to hold Ann back at first, but in the end he cheered for her, gave her the assurance she needed and told her he believed she could do it.)
- Ann saying they already broke up to her mom could be because she didn't want to explain and wanted her to stop.
- The last part on the wall, Jane and Nice painted all the names, including Tong. (This was what made him seem like a significant figure to the kids, also with how he got emotional when seeing the wall at the end, and all the changes that had happened.)

To me, he was a warm and reliable brother figure to the children and liked spending time with them compared to other cops as they probably eased his worries and gave him small happiness, like with chasing the boat scene, eating with jane, driving etc was all heartwarming to see. TMI but he also taught the kids how to drive, and Jane ended up having to drive.

What the movie ending made me ponder (aside from everything else)
- Ann's ending could be positive or the worst, but I think Ann ran away to chase her dream, as she would be stuck unless her mom changed, which she didn't. Also, Jane said, "I hope we bump into each other on a plane, because you have to take me to first class." Her family and Jane weren't that "sad" either
- Jane's life after leaving the flat—is she doing well? I hope so. Does Jane's have actual feelings for Ann? Does she realize it after, or not? Hope she's the same person who appreciates simple happiness.
- Tong started hanging out with other cops after the kids left. (The dialogue makes me question, but we don't know the basis of it, and I believe him and that promotion he'll get.)
- Ann and Jane never revealed their feelings and misunderstood each other until the end. Will they ever meet again? And will they ever be able to let each other know?
- Anyway, I only wish all the characters well. 😭

(Once everything is figured out, I think you'd be able to really enjoy it again based on your perspective)

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