Extra Geography (M) – 94 minutes

A twist on William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Extra Geography is a coming-of-age story set in a private girls’ boarding school.

The focus is on the relationship between teenage best friends and high achievers, Flic (Marni Duggan) and Minna (Galaxie Clear).

The pair is inseparable, set on a successful future at a good university, when they decide to become more “worldly”.

To that end they embark on a big summer project – to fall in love with the first person they see once they open their eyes.

That is also one of the themes in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

And it happens to be the summer play the girls are preparing for, alongside lads from the adjacent boys’ school. Neither Flic nor Minna have experience with boys.

Their gaze falls on their geography teacher, New Zealand-born Miss Delavigne (Alice Englert), whom they manipulate, with significant consequences.

Minna lands a key role in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, while – much to her chagrin – Flic is merely cast in a bit part.

So it is that the girls’ close friendship comes under strain, as real feelings surface.

Also showing a real interest in, and high regard for, Minna is fellow classmate Phoebe (Aoife Riddell) who is also cast in the school play.

Adapted from a 2007 short story by Rose Tremain by writer Miriam Battye, Extra Geography marks the feature debut for BAFTA-winning TV director Molly Manners.

Bittersweet, the movie is very much about growing pains, but it carries a darker edge.

Jealousy, competitiveness and hurt come to the fore, as what starts out as a game becomes much more than that.

It is quite a mature piece of work by Manners, with strong visuals by cinematographer Andrew Commis.

There is much to appreciate about the performances of all four key players.

Marni Duggan steps up with a display of anxiety, petulance and pique.

As Manni, Galaxie Clear is more inclined to go with the flow and embrace new experiences.

Aoife Riddell, as Phoebe, is nothing if not persistent, hanging around Flic, hoping to capture her attention.

Alice Englert brings a disturbing vulnerability to her realisation of the good-natured teacher.

With a comedic base, Extra Geography turns into an expose about the dangers inherent in navigating relationships once you push the wrong buttons.

Rated M, it is playing as part of the British Film Festival and scores a 7½ out of 10.