Speak

Based on the award winning novel by Laurie Halse Anderson, "Speak" unfolds a story about Melinda (Kristen Stewart), a smart and spirited high school freshman who retreats into self-imposed silence after she is raped one night at a party. Feeling isolated from her classmates and from her preoccupied mother Joyce Sardnino (Elizabeth Perkins), Melinda retreats further in an attempt to escape the torments of high school. It is only through her work in art class with the help of her compassionate art teacher Mr. Freeman (Steve Zahn) that she begins to reach out to others and eventually finds her own voice and inner strength. A feature debut of director/co-writer Jessica Sharzer, "Speak" resonates with stubborn honesty and sardonic humor as we follow Melinda on her journey from traumatized isolation to a brave and final triumphant disclosure.

Speak is an unexpected gem. Adapted from the popular novel by Laurie Halse Anderson and first broadcast in 2004, the film features an excellent lead performance by Kristen Stewart (Panic Room) as Melinda Sordino, a deeply troubled teen facing her first year of high school and all its attendant perils, including student cliques (here called "clans," such as "the Marthas--very Connecticut, very prep"), hostile teachers (with the exception of Steve Zahn's art instructor), and so forth. Melinda appears to be just another misfit, alienated, shunned, and sullen ("the most depressed person I've ever known," as one classmate puts it), burdened with clueless, hopelessly self-absorbed parents (Elizabeth Perkins, D.D. Sweeney) and her own introverted nature. But there's much more to it than that, and director Jessica Sharzer, who co-wrote the screenplay, deftly balances flashbacks of the traumatic event that turned Melinda into a virtual mute with her pained attempts to deal with its aftermath; the two stories, past and present, unfold together, keeping us involved all the way to the film's unsettling but cathartic conclusion. Powerful, moving, and well-acted (the adult roles occasionally veer toward stereotype, but the kids' performances are consistently good), Speak is a compelling and admirable piece of work. --Sam Graham

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Customer Reviews: 45 votes Average Rating: 4.5

2008-10-24 I really moving film, Starring an amazing Kristen Stewart

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

I didn't really know what to expect before I watched Speak for the first time. I had heard of the book and knew a little about the story, but I had never read it. After seeing this movie, I was truly moved. Kristen Stewart's performance of the young Melinda is truly amazing and I was blown away. I felt the emotions all the way through the entire movie and was pulled into the world of Speak. To anyone who has read the book or hasn't, this is a must see and you will not be dissapointed.

2008-09-26 short sweet no ending

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Speak. Well what can I say about a movie like this. It shows the story of a typical teenage girl leading a typical teenage life until one night at party she devastated by being a victim to rape. Speak is a very good movie, it shows how a young female would react if she were to be a victim to rape. This movie also shows the effects of what can happen if you keep things bottled in for to long. The only thing that I did not like was the leave-you-hangin' ending that it gives you. Overall the movie was great I would recommend this movie to any class. But it also lacks some of the elements that made the book good. In any case this is a very good movie made from an extraordinary book.

2008-09-15 Loved the movie!

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

Loved the movie. Kristen is awesome. It is a very intense movie and real.

2008-08-28 Great, moving story

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

I looked for "Speak" because I was interested in Kristen Stewart, and hadn't seen much of what she had done. I definitely recommend this movie to everyone, it is a moving story about a girl who was raped, called the cops on a house party, and how she deals with her first year of high school (where everyone knows she was the one who "squealed"). Kristen does a wonderful job acting the role of Melinda Sordino.

2008-08-23 A must see for tweens and teens

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful

This movie is a must see for tweens and teens, especially girls. This situation happens to a lot of girls who remain fearful to "Speak". Parents, discuss it with your children.

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