LESBIAN ROMANCE RULES - The Incredibly True Adventure of Two Girls in Love

Films have formulas and rules, but how well do films follow those formulas?  What about Lesbian Romance films, do they follows a strict formula and a set of rules?

The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love is everything it says on the tin.

The following analysis may contain spoilers for

The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love (1995)

Randy Dean and Evie Roy and two High School girls who fall in love.

The popular girl.

RULE #1 - A Coming Out Story

The film is Evie's coming out story, but actually it starts from Randy's POV rather than solely Evie's, not showing Evie's POV until after Randy first meets her.  However, Evie is having problems with her relationship with her boyfriend and doesn't really know why.  Randy describes her as, "this totally cute popular girl at school."

RULE #2 - There May Be T&A

A sex scene and the aftermath shows both actresses topless.  More nudity than most Rom-Coms, but less than most Slasher Films.

RULE #3 - Unsatisfied

Evie suggests a trial separation from her boyfriend Heyjay, he tries to bluff her and suggests they break up.  Evie calls her bluff.  My theory is that she couldn't stand his atrocious acting.

The outcast girl.

RULE #4 - Enter the Lesbian

As stated above, Randy appears first and it is Evie introduced later.  Randy does have short hair, dresses in a masculine manner and works in a masculine job (as a mechanic).  Evie's friends call Randy, "like a total diesel dyke," but they also list other reason that they consider her an outcast.  She is still young and cute, though.

BBFs

RULE #5 - Just Good Friends

When Evie's friend accuse her of having "a thing for the freak of the class" she gets defensive and they call her out on it.  Of course, the relationship grows into something more.

Judgement

RULE #6 - Rejection By Friends and Family

When Evie tells her friends since 8th Grade that she's in love with a girl they react badly.  She tells them if she can't accept her they should leave and never talk again.  After some hesitation all three do leave (although one seems to be sympathetic, but a joiner).
Evie's mom throws them out of the house when she catches them them together, but it actually seems to be more about the fact that she trashed the house.
There is, however, even some rejection of the relationship from Randy's family even though they are fine with her sexuality.

Two Girls in Love.

RULE #7 - Will They, Won't They/On Again, Off Again

The relationship progresses pretty linearly.  They do fight after Evie's mom throws them out of the house.

RULE #8 - Redemption/Acceptance

The film ends in farce, with every character that appeared previously (apart from Evie's ex-boyfriend) turning up outside the hotel room.  The film ends ambiguously before there is any possible acceptance/redemption by the family and friends - who are still seen yelling at the couple as the film ends.

RULE #9 - Happily Ever After?

Happily Ever After

Randy and Evie swear on Leaves of Grass that they'll love each other forever and head out to face the music.  The dedication at the end ("For my first girlfriend, May our relationship finally rest in peace") probably shows the reality that a happily ever after ending doesn't but the film ends on that note.

RULE #10 - No Sequels

No sequels, but Laurel Holloman (Randy) appeared in The L-Word.

Results

• Rules that are followed in this film:  2; 3; 5; 9; 10.
• Rules that are partially followed in this film:  1; 4; 6; 7.
• Does not appear in this film:  8

~ DUG.

Remember to do the survey to determine the fourth genre to be tested.