While it is metaphorical, it is a slow, plodding film in very much the wrong way that is typical of these kinds of films, only worse because what they fill the space with is so unattractive, from the people to the locations. Even when Marita is "dressed up" for a party, she looks worse than her usual self. I started skipping ahead after a point because it's just so boring and subtly distasteful.
The main character is unsympathetic because she's so hypocritical and creepy, also weird in her attractions, from inappropriately young to inappropriately old. She's a creep. The headmaster is a creep. The other teachers are creeps. Even some of the kid characters are creeps. I was wondering if there was no one in her town her own age until the party, but now I see that there was just no one attractive in that entire town.
The main character is unsympathetic because she's so hypocritical and creepy, also weird in her attractions, from inappropriately young to inappropriately old. She's a creep. The headmaster is a creep. The other teachers are creeps. Even some of the kid characters are creeps. I was wondering if there was no one in her town her own age until the party, but now I see that there was just no one attractive in that entire town.