FINN'S GIRL

Finn's Girl has a basic plot that has been done before. A reluctant adult is thrust into being a single parent to a rebellious and not-too-happy child. In this case Finn (Brooke Johnson) isn't exactly new to the job, but with the recent death of her partner, she finds herself in a new role as not only having to physically take care of her child alone, but emotionally.

The problem is, Finn is a bit of a gruff, controlled character. If she can help it, she doesn't let her emotions get the better of her. This is actually quite necessary, considering the line of work that she practices: Finn is an abortion doctor. Now, I have to give Finn's Girl points for offering a fresh backdrop for a predictable story. Because of the services the clinic offers, Finn's building is under surveillance by a couple of protective cops (Yanna McIntosh and Gilles Lemaire), and for good reason. With picketers loitering day and night in front of the clinic, the aura is dangerous. In fact, when Finn gets shot at while leaving the clinic garage on her motorcycle, the stakes are raised.

Finn's Girl tries to be a drama about a single lesbian parent learning responsibility, as well as trying to rebuild her life after the death of her longtime partner. But it is also a drama about the risks a person takes to perform a very controversial job. So it is really too bad that the film never sparks to life, considering the ripe topics.

Maya Ritter as Zelly, Finn's tween daughter, actually walks away with every scene she is in. She is a complex kid who can be bratty, confrontational, and rebellious (a glimmer of the dreaded teens), but then really sweet and childlike when she lets her guard down. Oddly enough, Gilles Lemaire, as the male half of the surveillance team, charms with his own easygoing sexiness and strength in a minor role. But unfortunately Brooke Johnson portrays such a shut down character (or maybe it's her performance?) that the title character of Finn is surprisingly bland. She walks through the movie with a stressed scowl, so of course it must seem obvious that the female surveillance cop finds her supremely attractive. I don't know, I wasn't buying it.

Finn's Girl ends up stumbling upon its own weight. What could have been a fine parent/child bonding film mixed with a controversial topic ends up being supremely dull, with an uninvolving main character.