I have read some of the reviews that have trashed this movies, and I'm guessing they are written by men. While the movie is not perfect, the story is actually based on true events and to dismiss a persons very real-life trials, including traumatic events such as rape and absent parents, shows whoever wrote these reviews has no idea what the real world is about. As a movie, it could have been a little more consistent in the time lines and explaining how she got to the point of desparation, but overall, this story is worth listening too. Angie Wang did an excellent job of directing overall and making the viewer understand from where she comes. This is not a "drug movie," it is a movie about a poor minority who must do bad things to achieve what the more fortunate have. It shows that regardless of where you come, to wit, her roommate, a white, priveledged female, everyone has problems.