I am going to say first that there is a review that trashes Nichole Fox's acting. That reviewer is wrong. There are a lot of problems with the film but the acting except maybe just a tad from the mom is not one of them. The mother part is very poorly written, she goes into rages instantly without a whole lot of reason, but then . . .I think again of friends with troubled parents and I think, yeah ,maybe, but when it comes to teens who are withdrawn I really think that Nicole Fox nails it. Her therapy sessions are excellent if too quiet for good film making. Sometimes reality is just not exciting enough.
There aren't a lot of surprises and it is largely a downer, but it is truthful. The one thing I didn't buy was the relationship with the older girl, but that relationship does open doors and helps to take the lid off of the pressure cooker that was Ashley's life.
I have known girls like Ashley. That this one seems to make it out alive is a miracle in itself.
Acting Yes, Script Meh but the subject matter is important and for the most part handled well.
But what is with all the canned operatic music in the background. There must have been a sale because there is not tie in for the classical music to the story. It sets a tone, but oddly like having 50's Country music in a movie set in New England.
