I watched the 2004 movie Speak just the other day and it reminded me that excluding the Twilight franchise, Kristen Stewart is actually a good actress with a respectable body of work, such as this movie, Adventureland and The Runaways. Directed by a woman, based on a book written by a woman, this film dares to tell a young teenager's story following her rape at a party and her subsequent withdrawl from everyone around her. She can barely admit to herself what happened, let alone tell anyone. It is a moving, important story.
Speak is a beautiful and poignant film, one that I wish more people had seen. It is certainly a story worth telling. All roles are wonderfully acted, including Kristen Stewart in the lead, a role that involves more in her head voiceovers than actual speaking lines. But she acts. You see Melinda, her character`s pain, rejection and gradual healing and return of confidence in her face and body movements as she slowly accepts the reality of what happened to her. I consider this a must-see movie.
The cast was well rounded with excellent performances by Elizabeth Perkins as Melinda`s mother, Steve Zahn as Melinda`s art teacher who inadvertently helps her deal with her pain and anger over what happened, and Hallee Hirsh as her ex-best friend who is angry with her for calling 911 at the party, not knowing what happened. This movie is a giant piece of truth amid the typical glossy crap that usually adorns movie screens. Probably why people haven`t seen it. But you should. I cannot stress the importance and quality of this film. It needs to be seen. Women`s voices need to be heard and our stories need to be given the same level of respect as men`s on the silver screen. This is the kind of film I can wholly support.
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