Turn Me On, Dammit!

This film was described in the Palm Springs festival guide as being a  rare work that deals with the sexuality of a young woman. And that's certainly true. If you were to believe this film some girls want it just as much as their male counterparts. At least in Norway. Shocking, I know!

The film centers around Alma (Helene Bersholm) who lives in some out in the sticks part of the country. Hanging out with her friends they all just want to get the heck out of town as soon as possible. Being just shy of 16 that's going to be a wait. As alluded to in the title Alma seriously wants to get laid. Until she can convince her neighbor boy crush to wake up and tend to her she has to make due on her own. Her mind supplies ample diversions revolving around almost everyone she runs into. And when that's not enough she manages to run up quite a phone sex bill. At an alcohol fueled house party (I know ... these teens drink too!) she almost has some success with that neighbor boy - though his awkwardness leads to serious complications for her. His incredibly inept come-on and Alma's recalling it to her friends (one of which is very jealous) results in her rapidly becoming the town  teen's outcast. As well as the film's most memorable line, "he poked me with his dick." Which really does become funnier each time it's used. It's a more literal and less euphemistic description of events than many readers may be interpreting it as.

I really enjoyed this film for its frankness, humor and strong performance by Helene Bergsholm as Alma. She's both sympathetic and believable in the role portraying Alma as a real, feeling person. An interesting and well integrated soundtrack complements the charming mood. While Bergsholm is a standout by virtue of her need to carry the concept on her shoulders all of the characters deliver. Including Alma's mom whose dealing with her own sexual issues as well as coming to terms with her daughters'. The latter occasionally requiring earplugs. 

Turn Me On, Dammit! isn't an earth shattering story. But it is well told. Not to mention ultimately both sweeter and more explicitly direct than a US version of the same film likely would be. Taken together I do think that makes the film special. If you're easily offended by sexual topics and have your head in the sand about teens' hormone driven desires this isn't the film for you. It is seriously not. But for those who might enjoy a smidge of gender reversal around their coming of age sex comedies I think you'll find exactly what you're looking for.