Sometimes the most memorable films are the most simple. No one understands this better than Andrew Bujalski, who has quietly risen from obscurity to become one of the more fascinating young filmmakers in contemporary independent cinema. Some of his films have been so abstract and intimate, they border on being almost non-existent, such as the ludicrously strange Computer Chess, which was more of an absurdist endurance test rather than a film. His most recent film, Support the Girls, is a terrific comedy that may not be particularly noteworthy in comparison to some of the more audacious films of its ilk, but there is a certain authenticity running throughout this film that demonstrates its subversive sweetness and impeccable charms, which proves that despite this film lacking the definitive draw that would attract audiences, it is still something that should be seen, a simple but effective little comedy that is endlessly delightful, overtly hilarious and profoundly moving when it needs to be, and I cannot recommend this film enough: films like Support the Girls need to be seen and devoured for the genuine gems that they are.

Support the Girls takes place over roughly a single business day in the lives of a restaurant called Double Whammies. Most certainly a spoof of popular restaurants such as Hooters, Double Whammies prides itself on its family values and its welcoming atmosphere, as well as the plethora of beautiful young women who tend to the visitors to the independent establishment. They are led admirably by the good-hearted but slightly ditzy Lisa (Regina Hall), who does her best as the general manager of the restaurant, holding together her scarce strands of sanity as she tries to keep everything in order, preventing drama and confrontation as much as possible. However, this day will prove to be the breaking point for Lisa, whose frustrations and anxieties reach a crescendo with the arrest and subsequent release of one of her waitresses, as well as tense relations with her husband and a boss who sees her as incapable, and is looking for a way to let her go to the restaurant, which was built on the efforts of Lisa, can move forward, which is exactly what she realizes she needs to do. Armed with steadfast determination and two of her best employees, Maci (Haley Lu Richardson) and Danyelle (Shayna McHayle), Lisa is intent on proving herself – perhaps not to others, but certainly to herself. There’s only a certain amount of trouble a general manager at an obscure sports-bar themed restaurant can take, right?

Regina Hall is an absolute treasure, and throughout her career, she has shown considerable range, dabbling in awful mainstream parody (Scary Movie) to more successful studio comedies (Girls Trip). However, with Support the Girls she sets her sights on the independent world and proves her shockingly powerful ability to adapt to any situation as an actress, finding herself in the middle of a film that is built as a showcase for her considerable talents. The film is focused on Lisa, and thus the performer in charge of bringing this character to life needs to be someone who can understand the inner turmoil of this character, getting underneath her skin and imbuing her with a certain truthful pathos. Hall thrives in these strong female roles, and Support the Girls is her at her very best, demonstrating her everywoman sensibilities that translate into irresistibly memorable charms. The film is built around Hall, but her performance depends very much on those of two other performers, namely those who play the characters of Maci and Danyelle, two young waitresses who are far more than Lisa’s subordinates, but her closest confidantes and most important friends. Haley Lu Richardson is verging on a massive career breakthrough, and whether it is with the pop culture phenomenon that was Split, or the slow-burning independent drama Columbus, or the teen comedy The Edge of Seventeen, Richardson is a star in the making. Support the Girls gives her another great showcase, allowing her to portray the airheaded but warm-hearted Maci, who is far savvier than her skimpy outfit and bubbly Southern charms would have you suggest. Shayna McHayle (also known by her colourful rapper nickname Junglepussy) is very good, and while her character isn’t developed as much as the other two, she has some great moments. The film is essentially a three-hander, and thus the truthfulness of these performances was of paramount importance, and they certainly did deliver (along with the rest of the cast, who may have been less prominent, but no less excellent).

Support the Girls is not a perfect film, but it cannot be blamed at all. This film is the pinnacle of independent filmmaking, a good-natured, simple, down-to-earth story with an easygoing execution. Like many films of its kind, Support the Girls often falls into confusion, with certain story points remaining under-explored or poorly-developed. Yet, there is something this film has that compensates for the narrative shortcomings: heart. This is a film with profound resonance, and while it may not be socially-important, nor does it say anything particularly distinctive, it has a certain generous emotional gravitas that launches it from being just another meandering comedy to something far more special. Independent cinema allows filmmakers to represent offbeat, strange stories and make them as profoundly meaningful and resonant as they would like, and Support the Girls exemplifies this. Bujalski, like his contemporaries, has built a cinematic career out of portraying the simple minutiae of life and representing the authentic emotions that are held by the individuals who are central to these stories. Support the Girls is a film with an enormous heart and a message that is not particularly earth-shattering, but nonetheless quite significant.

What is the message? Support the Girls may have a simple execution, but it isn’t afraid to evoke certain social themes that are not particularly biting or satirical, but rather keenly aware of its surroundings, casting its broad perspective of society around us, and representing the intricate eccentricities present in daily life. Support the Girls looks at what is commonly referred to as a “boob bar”, but instead of being exploitative or malignant, it opts for a far more subversive avenue, that of the touching character-driven comedy that remains admirably simple, focusing on the daily routine of a popular but still somewhat unconventional establishment. It touches on some important themes, and while Bujalski doesn’t waste time on exploring these ideas in full detail, he provides us with enough context for Support the Girls to make an impact. The main character of Lisa is presented as comically anxious, someone who is barely holding herself together – but as the film progresses, we start to see the broken, fragile person Lisa is, and we start to understand her frustrations, and thus can only empathize with her. Likeable characters and an endearing stories do wonderfully in making this a real delight.

Support the Girls is an unabashedly human film, one built on a foundation of exploring the intricate connections that bind us together and help us grow through the love and affection of those who care for us. Perhaps not particularly showy, it has some subversive moments that define it as a true gem of independent cinema. There were even some self-referential traces, such as the fact that this film is set in an independent business on the verge of being completely invalidated by another business, a more widespread, popular and bombastically-wealthy corporation that does the same thing, only with far less warmth and meaning, which could be read as a subliminal hint to the independence of this film, one that exists outside of the Hollywood elite and stands as its own proud entity that proves sometimes, the most effective, endearing and charming things are those that don’t require an abundance of wealth or extravagant excess, but rather genuine heart and soul. Support the Girls is a terrific film, and while it isn’t a major work, it is an easy-going, entertaining comedy that wears its heart on its sleeve and leaves the audience smiling, which is often exactly what a film needs to do, leaving the audience in an upbeat state of mind that can hopefully trickle down into their own positive perception of the world around them. Support the Girls is a real delight, and something that certainly needs to be seen, both because it is great, and because independent cinema deserves all the support it can get, especially if it produces work as great as this.