Thirteen
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Movie Reviews of Thirteen
Movie Review: Growing up is hard to do
Summary: 5 Stars
I hate to say that this movie reminds me a lot of my own adolescence. I too was a good girl growing up in Santa Monica, whose childhood came to an abrupt end when I entered middle school. I still remember how unprepared I was to find myself in a world that only cared about boys and wild fun, and I was even less prepared to discover that I was pretty interested in these things myself.
There seems to be some debate as to whether Tracy's descent into teenage hell is realistic in terms of its severity and speed. As for myself, I never snuck lines of coke in my bedroom, but plenty of my classmates did.
What struck me most about this movie was not the drugs or the sex, though both are certainly disturbing. What this movie really captures is how difficult it is for both parents and children to renegotiate their relationship when the kids become teenagers. One day Tracy tells her mother that she can never stay mad when her mom strokes her hair, and the next, she's screaming that no one can enter her bedroom unannounced. Tracy doesn't just make foolhardy decisions. She also makes necessary ones albeit with an adolescent lack of tact. The movie does not tell us if Tracy manages to grow up unscathed, but there's no doubt that she is gowing up. No matter what else happens, she'll still be a sexual being who is no longer comfortable being naked in front of her mother. She'll probably still want to keep her bedroom door closed. She'll want to shop on Melrose Place without an accompanying adult.
"Thirteen" is unsparing in this regard. We see Tracy's need to separate, and her mother's sorrow at this loss. Holly Hunter does a magnificent job as a mother who suddenly finds herself without any connection to or authority over her child. Her daughter is as tall as she is, and no longer responds to announcements that "it's conference time!" There is one particularly tragic moment when Hunter plaintively reminds her daughter that "I raised you to be civil to me!"
I've watched this movie probably a dozen times and I don't think I'll ever get sick of it. I'll never get tired of seeing Tracy and her new pal Evie running around LA, flaunting their newly adult bodies, but screaming like the kids they still are. Growing up is hard to do.
Movie Review: Scary for parents of teens
Summary: 5 Stars
Many have argued that "Thirteen" does not delve deep enough into the psyche of the characters, therefore we never understand what exactly it is that drives them over the edge. But the fact that this film was co-written by a thirteen year old (the actress who plays Evie) gives "Thirteen" instant credibility. This is the story of a normal girl, Tracy (played magnificently by Evan Rachel Wood) who befriends the most popular girl in school, Evie. Instantly, Evie is a terrible influence, and the girls start going on shopping sprees funded by stolen money, get high on whatever they can find, drink often, and begin doing things with boys that thirteen year olds should not be doing. Tracy is a tortured soul, angry because her father does not care, because her mother cares too much and because her mom's boyfriend is bad news, according to Tracy. Holly Hunter is awesome as Mel, the mother, playing the character with a naivete thatcomes with a parent hoping their kid is alright. Another pivotal performance is by Tracy's brother, although I can't remember his name right now. His role is much smaller than the other three, but he combines a lack of caring with a big brother instinct that is very real.
This movie could be considered an eye-opener for parents. It seems insane that thirteen year olds would be up to these kinds of things, but we now live in a world where people grow up entirely too quickly, and this movie shows us that in gritty detail. I enjoyed the direction of this film, and it is shaky and grainy in some parts, adding to the realism of the situation.
Maybe we don't know the real reasons why Tracy is so upset with life, and why she choses to do what she does without remorse or any thought of the future, but the fact of the matter is that we don't always know these things, and often there is not even a reason. Simply put, she does do these things to herself, and it matters not what the reasoning is, just that they are done is enough. I can see this movie being pretty scary for parents, and maybe it should be.
This is a great film, better than the other movie of this type, "Kids", which was more an expoitation of youth than an analysis.
Movie Review: From Tracy...
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, that may not be my name, but it is my experience. I cannot believe the number of reviews here that call her story "unrealistic." Rather, I can believe it, because people outside of it do not WANT to see it.I started the 7th grade at 12 yrs old. By the time I turned 13 a few months later, I had lived much of "Thirteen"s storyline. I had a best friend (strikingly similar even in appearance to Evie in the film) with whom I started the sick downward spiral that is the film's focus. I was silently riveted by this movie every second, because every single element was perfectly real, just the sort of feeling I remember.
To those who would discount the film because of Tracy's amazingly quick bond with Evie, don't. I haven't seen a "right" explanation of why Tracy got in thick with Evie on this site yet. The truth is, it doesn't have to be because your home life is bad. It doesn't have to be because you want to be cool. For me, I started this road and there was no hesitation, I didn't do it to rebel or escape but because there was such a strange mix of opportunity, newness, and raw emotion that these things became possible and, in some sick way, inviting. And no, my mother was not neglectful, proof that Tracy's mother cannot be solely blamed for what happened.
The truth is, this film is real, as perfectly real as it gets, especially for me. My "Evie" friend went on down that road even after I had done my share of reforming, and made a new best friend, and, before they reached high school, they had both been found out and were seperated by their terrified parents. This is a real story.
And, to the reviewer who ranted about how horrible the girls were, let me say this -- it's true. They were horrible. I was selfish and cruel and did things I hated myself for for a long time afterwards. But it is only a time, not a lifetime... you are disgustingly wrong if you think that these girls could never become decent women. You are very, very wrong.
In any case, this is a wonderful film. Evan Rachel Wood is astonishingly raw and I love her for that. But, if you watch this film and aren't touched, it's not the film's fault.
Movie Review: I'd give it 13 stars!
Summary: 5 Stars
ever powerful and shocking, "THIRTEEN" is reality. I am 40 years old. I was 13 once, but times have changed. our peer pressure was about drinking, smoking, partying...the usual teen stuff. but we were not controlling our own destiny by taking more dangerous risks with pain, drugs, stealing, etc.. the risks tracy & evie take send them into a black hole...and somehow, evie manages to "recover" by relocating & never being seen or heard from again. poor tracy-I FEEL HER PAIN-i recall several painful conversations i had with mom about dad.the saddest part of the movie starts when tracy is getting a ride from mom's bf brady.this is the build to the climax of the movie, where it all hits the fan. she waves to the neighbor across the street (she used to hang out with her kids) and the woman turns her back on her & walks away. not only has tracy been devasted for "hurting" evie (or "giving her what she wants"), she is an outcast in the "bad girl" group and the "good girl" group too. all the evies of the world bounce back, leaving a stack of victims in a heap. evie can get what she wants. she can save her own butt by narking someone else out. evie has power. and tracy, poor tracy, she is so very alone. alas, the final scream.I can watch this over & over & over again...it gets to me. the acting is out of this world. the movie speaks the truth without ammending the more gritty details. KUDOS to NIKKI REED for co-writing & co-starring. AWESOME! i hope to see more of EVAN RACHEL WOOD, TOO...i could feel her pain...i could she the mask she wore so she could "fit in" and "be happy"...but when the mask came off, she was seriously depressed to the point of "cutting" or self mutilation. AND FINALLY, THE GREAT HOLLY HUNTER. NEED I SAY MORE?
I love the cinematography. the gritty city at night...the colors...the waves & changes in camera movement...and the little things like the "for rent" sign...everyone else wants out of her world. now she is truly alone. but mom won't let her go. mom can save her with all the love she feels for her daughter. (TEARY-EYED SCENE)
THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MOVIES EVER MADE!
Movie Review: not what i expected
Summary: 5 Stars
id been told about the awards and how this movie was a must see and i was told by people who had seen it that i needed to see the film. I had no idea what it was about. I looked at the cover and saw 2 teenage girls sticking their pierced tongues out and i was pretty sure that i wasnt going to like it at all though one friend did convince me to see it. Your taking through the spiral of Tracys life as she goes from your typical 13 year old girl into a whirlwin of drugs, casual sex with random people, cutting, pickpocketing and deciet. Tracy is determined to get close to the most popular girl at school, Evie. Evie treats everyone that isnt in her circle of popularity as if they dont exist and if she does happen to speak to them shes usually making fun of them. Well, Tracy wants to be popular and is entranced by Evie in a way, youd almost think shes got a crush on her if you didnt know she didnt. Well, she gets what she wants. She wins her way into Evies life through her mom, mel, buying her clothes determined to give her daughter something to make her happy after she realises that her daughter feels left out.
Evies involvement in Tracys life for a while seems like a good thing to mel until things start to shout out to her that her daughters is nothing like the person that she knew. Through Tracys involvment with Evie Mel cant seem to catch up with her daughter or the girl who is stealing her away. Tracys brother isnt alot better than she is though they dont ever seem to pinpoint that. Suddenly Tracy and her familys life becomes a hell on earth led by the charming new live in Evie with no escape and Tracy begins to fall apart and becomes very "cracked out" to put it in nice terms.
Dont be fooled by the cover of this dvd or video. It is not poppy or cute, it is not funny and it will slap you in the face and it doesnt sugar coat anything or hold anything back.
A movie to watch with your kids (though im not sure at the young age of 13 unless your kids been through quite the story of their own.)
and finally... its not a movie to be missed..