Before the Dawn

On the surface it's kinda a lifetime movie. Teacher has an affair with her troubled student. But this is handled with a lot of care and features a really strong lead performance by the teacher and even a bit of suspense. Extra points for the score.

A well acted melodrama dealing with a forbidden high school love between student and teacher. An interesting dynamic created between the two leads and the relationship felt very believable. The production value was great, check out this film!

Stumbled upon this indie gem! I love films that portray conflicted characters in complicated and unique situations. Alana de Freitas delivers an extraordinary performance by lending nuance and sympathy to Lila. I was completely sold on her attraction to Jason and their chemistry. I was impressed to discover that she also wrote and produced the film...she is definitely someone to watch and follow. Very well done film!

An illicit affair, done with "class." OK, given it's an affair between a teacher and a student, that was kind of pun. But it's true! Given the premise, I kind of expected something like late-night Cinemax fare. But this film gave me way more than that. The affair in the story plays out in a very real, un-soapy kind of way. I believed in the reality of the characters and I felt for them. That's not to say the film isn't sexy... it is. But it's done with more sophistication and aplomb than one might expect. Well shot and especially well acted, by two very beautiful young actors. (The student kind of reminded me of a young Johnny Depp.) A very enthusiastic recommend for this movie!

This will be very tough subject matter for those coming to it with preconceived opinions and overly judgmental attitudes. But let's be honest, these things do happen, and probably more often than we'd care to admit. Forbidden love, student-teacher relationships are doomed from the outset, and this film makes that clear in the very beginning. Performances from the two leads are sensitive and realistic, and deserving of the many awards. Give this good indie drama a good look and don't be surprised to see these actors a lot more in the future.