Bianca SSpeak – Movie Review
July 15th 2008 06:12
Based on the novel of the same name by Laurie Halse Anderson. Speak is an independent film made for television, which does not undermine the film in any way.
Directed by Jessica Sharzer and starring Kristen Stewart (Into the Wild, Panic Room and Twilight), Eric Lively (The Butterfly Effect 2), Elizabeth Perkins (Weeds), Steve Zahn (Riding in Cars with Boys and That Thing You Do), D.B Sweeney (Life as We Know It) and Michael Angarano (Lords of Dogtown and The Forbidden Kingdom).
I really can’t give you a plot outline without spoiling the movie a little so………
Plot outline
Speak is a drama about a high school freshman, Melinda Sordino (Stewart) who becomes silent after she was raped by a senior.The film is told through Melinda’s eyes and is wrought with her sardonic humor and blunt honesty. The film takes the audience from Melinda’s innocence, to the traumatic event and her subsequent social and emotional detachment, ending at her brave disclosure of the terrible incident. The film takes place over the course of a school year.
Obviously as a Tele- movie its quick to dimiss as trash, but I wholeheartedly recommend this movie, actually I compell you to check it out. It is worth it alone for Kristen Stewart’s performance she is AMAZING as Melinda and that is an understatement, she was thirteen when the film was made but the way she portrays this victim, of such a violent assault is both heartbreaking and magical to watch. She has a talent that rivals actresses years beyond her, especially as her role was virtually non speaking and had to act for the most part with her face. (hmm that sounded a little stupid…..you know what I mean) I would put her on par or a little in front of Ellen Page in the talent department. She is one to watch!!
Sharzer did a wonderful job with both the screenplay with help from author Lauri Halse Anderson and the direction. The movie is an excellent adaption of the novel, staying true to the book, whilst being a completely different entity of its own.
I really cant say enough about this film, check it out!!!
4 ˝ /5
The trailer doesn't really do the film much justice, it looks a little campy, but its worth seeing
| 52 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic