Share

Fair and poignant treatment of difficult subject matter. No caricatures and seemingly well-researched. The lead actress is a revelation. Some didn't like the ending but I thought it was good - what's realistic and what people might want rarely overlap....

I'm usually more critical of film than my contemporaries, so was surprised to see so many low grades for this film. Early on, I considered giving up this film because it starts slow and it seemed a little repetitive of a subject that I felt had been covered before. The subject matter surrounds a disturbing brief cell phone video of high school girl that had passed out at a party. The video in this film is not overly explicit, but it is clear there are some unsettling sexual aspects experienced by the lead character and as the story develops it becomes clear to the viewer that impact of having this widely "shared" on social media is going to have lasting impact for many, not just the victim.

I did not see the focus of this movie so much as a "Me Too" film, but more emphasis possibly about how technology (i.e. the damaging impact of irresponsible social media) can impact an entire community. There's no question that what happens to this young girl is reprehensible and offers a morality lesson in it's own right. The very realistically portrayed impact the video has on the victim's parents, friends, the accused, however, sends a very strong message for anyone living in an age where sharing everything on social media is too often second nature.

What this lacks in dramatics, makes up for it in feeling real. Sure...lots of arguments about whether this or that would happen in real life. The young lady lead is convincing though with some pretty confusing subject matter. Thought it was well done and pertinent.

"Share" (2019 release; 89 min.) brings the story of Mandy, a junior at the (fictitious) Alexander Gardner High School. As the movie opens, Mandy is unconscious and laying on a lawn at night. As she awakens she has no idea what happened that night or how she got to the lawn. She does notice a large bruise on her left arm. At basketball practice the next day, something is clearly off with Mandy, but what? Then later that day, Mandy gets multiple texts containing a blurry video with what appears to be her being sexually assaulted. She still has no recollection of what happened... At this point we are 10 min. into the movie, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the feature length debut of writer-director Pippa Bianco (working from her short film of the same name). She tackles an all-too-common problem among teenagers: a young woman taken advantage off after she has had too much to drink, with a video subsequently uploaded and shared. Mandy immediately faces tremendous peer and family pressure about whether or not to press charges, or to just forget about the whole thing and "move on". Sadly, no matter what she decides, there are no good options for Mandy, and as the film amply demonstrates, the consequences for Mandy are heartbreaking, no matter what. This is just the latest release that looks at peer pressure, and in particular social anxiety, among teenagers in today's environment (check out as well the recent documentary "I Love You, Now Die", among others). At one point Mandy asks a friend "why didn't you help me?", and the friend responds "you said you were fine", which Mandy doesn't recall saying... Newcomer Rhianne Barreto is outstanding as the vulnerable Mandy, and surely we have not seen the last of her. Also kudos to the outstanding score for this film, courtesy of electronic musician Shlohmo (the stage moniker of Henry Laufer).

"Share" premiered at this year's Sundance film festival to immediate critical acclaim. It is now showing on HBO (where I saw it). If you are in the mood for a tense high school social anxiety and abuse drama, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it on VOD or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

Directed and written by Pippa Bianco, based of the short story also directed and written by her.

Starring 21 year old Rhianne Barreto, playing the 16 year old lead Mandy, who was out with school friends partying and drinking and end up passing out and wakes up in the morning on her front lawn and a video appears on social media of guys having their way with her while she is drunk or possibly drugged.

Her caring parents are well played and they are being smart about how to handle it but at the core of it, in my opinion, the story revolves are consent and not taking advantage of a person when they are at a disadvantage. This is actually an age old issue but when new technology and especially with social media today we hear more about it.

No surprise then that the director also helped write an episode of Euphoria which also focused on consent as well.

The main cast was great and I imagine we will be seeing more from Rhianne Barreto as well in the future and I can't wait to see what Pippa Bianco has for us next.

The ending might not be what some would expect so make sure you watch it.