LARS Von Trier seems to have abandoned most of the Dogme agenda with Dancer in The Dark. Some of the Dogme principles, handheld camera and natural lighting, are used extensively in this incisive look at growing-up. They give a documentary feel to Jim McKay's second feature film, the follow-up to 1996's critically acclaimed Girls Town. Again he looks at the troubled life of teenage girls.

Three best friends in Brooklyn find out their school is closing and they have to make decisions about the future. Continue studying, get a job, have kids? Or one of the million other choices which seem to be rapidly slipping away from them.

The plot never bothers to get in the way of the characters. They tumble along the path that fate throws them. Rather than being a disadvantage this makes them seem even more real. There's no strong plot conclusion because these characters are too young to work it all out. Or is it because they'll never work it out?

The acting throughout is superb. The three leads are intelligent, economic and absolutely rock solid. McKay's direction is subtle and sympathetic. The handling of every emotion, including a mother and child suicide, is sensitive. The nomination for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance was well deserved.

If you're not a fan of US independent films this probably wont win you over. If you are a fan, it's the best US indie since Welcome to the Dollhouse.