52 Films by Women Vol 6. 46. SHARP STICK (Director: Lena Dunham)
Sharp Stick is sure to divide opinion. There will be those that hate it and those that hate it a lot. Those that hate it a lot will object to writer-director Lena Dunham’s portrayal of an autistic protagonist. Not that the ‘A’ word is ever mentioned but Sarah Jo (Kristine Froseth) presents with the tropes of high-functioning autism: conditioned to be helpful and follow instructions but insensitive to others without being narcissistic. Dunham, best known for the hit HBO television series Girls in which she also starred, hasn’t made a film since for 2010 debut, Tiny Furniture. She has absolutely earned the right to try something challenging. Since debuting Sharp Stick at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, she has already completed her third film, Catherine, Called Birdy , which airs on Amazon Prime in the autumn. Critics can suck it. Set in the fringes of Hollywood, Sharp Stick depicts Sarah Jo’s sexual awakening, seemingly motivated by conversations she has with her biological mo...