Movie #352 "Speak" I found very well done, and a must see for a teenager. It should be shown in a high school setting in a family values class because it deals with all kinds of issues for kids to talk about ---- rape is the subject, and the film gives a clear signal about the importance of TELLING people, esp. adults, of the problems you, as a teen, are going through ---- Besides the importance of communicating (thus, the title of the film); the film also shows the influence one teacher can have (the other teachers shown don't come across as well, but that's okay --- they are still oftentimes found in a high school setting); I really appreciated how realistic this movie was ---- lots of quiet moments of looking into the eyes of the very, very capable Kristin Stewart (of vampire fame). Her parents are utterly clueless, but theirs is a journey in the film, as well. My favorite moment is when the teacher looks at all of her drawings for her final project --- as a teacher, as a student, as a human being, you will feel how powerful that moment is when someone finally "gets you". I LOVED the book (and highly recommend it -- we used it for speech team a couple of times through the years) so I was a bit fearful that the people in Hollywood wouldn't do this novel justice, but they did. Nice job, Hollywood. I think you got this one right.
Average rating: 3.717
I give it 4
Speak
(2004) PG-13
A violent crime against Melinda (Kristen Stewart) has left her shunned by her friends and completely traumatized as she enters the ninth grade a selective mute, isolating herself from everyone at school until a sympathetic teacher (Steve Zahn) encourages her to express herself. Elizabeth Perkins and D.B. Sweeney co-star in this powerful teen drama from writer-director Jessica Sharzer, which debuted at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.
Genre:Indie Dramas, Social Issue Dramas
This movie is:Understated, Emotional
Format:DVD
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