White Bird in a Blizzard

A chilly suburban mystery lies at the centre of this dreamy, sexually charged teen drama from indie film-maker Gregg Araki. Opening in 1988, it tells the story of Kat Connors (Shailene Woodley), a hormonal teenager who is gradually coming to terms with her burgeoning sexuality. One day, Kat's life is suddenly changed for ever, as she returns home to discover that her mother (played by the reliably watchable Eva Green) has disappeared without a trace. From here, the story builds to a conclusion that, without delving into spoiler territory, is both obvious and surprising. On the plus side, the retro soundtrack is cool and the central performances are solid, with Woodley proving typically impressive in the lead role. The film is uneven, but it's fairly effective as a portrait of sexual awakenings during adolescence, even if there's nothing in it that you haven't seen before.