Mockingbird Don't Sing

This movie should by no means be rated on it's entertainment value as some do as the true case is way too serious to consider for entertainment purposes.

I stumbled across it on a movie channel and just went along feeling more and more sad and frustrated over the total failure of the authorities to secure the interests of this poor, wretched human experiencing for 13 years a fate much worse than death and later being less than ideally where the therapists, teachers and researches take care of no. 1 first.

I don't know if anyone in America has learned anything from this case, but some historic words come into mind:

"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

But is America really interested in helping any of these?

I missed a sharper critical profile in the movie on this aspect rather than letting everybody off easy.

The young actor did a tremendous job and can't be applauded enough.

I am not sure I want to recommend anyone seeing it, as it is way too sad. Maybe we are better off not knowing of the cruelty and stupidity some parents can subject their children to and easily get away with it.

I loved this movie so much that I have been trying to buy it since I saw it. I am in the middle of the book now. I could watch this movie 1000 times and not get bored. Good directing and casting!! I think anyone who sees it will come away with a feeling that will stay for days, maybe weeks!!

This movie kept me glued to the screen. I think it is because of natural human instinct to be inquisitive about terrible & traumatic events that happen to others. Also, the acting was really believable and natural. The storyline was great, except for the ending. At the end of the movie, they had text on the screen telling what happened to each character. But they didn't tell enough of what happened to Katie. I don't like to be left hanging about the main character. It is like missing the end of the movie--what is the point of watching 90% of a movie, if you miss the last 10%? I really wanted to know the outcome, and still do. Maybe if I search online, I can find out some more information. It was definitely worth watching. But, I would have given it a score of 9 instead of 7 if it had more info about the main character and her ending.

The movie was set in the 70s and it accurately depicted the life and times through the clothes, hairdo, household products and music. The central character is the 13 year old victim of child abuse, Katie Standen and the women who sought to bring out of her abused state, namely her mother Mrs. Standen, child therapist Judy Bingham and psychology graduate student Sandra. The story is told from the point of view of Sandra. One can't help but feel a sense of melodrama and a tinge of sadness when seeing how all 3 desperately try to save Katie whilst fighting each other for her custody and trust. Katie, played by Tara Steele is excellent in her role as a victim who spits, vomits and then eats again her food and also, "touches" herself. The ending leaves you somewhat sad and melancholic and will stay in your head for days.

I missed this film, when it was displayed at University by ‘my' Psychology department, but as soon as I stumbled over it in our local Video Store, I rented it and quite honestly, I don't know what to tell you. I really believe, that I can't say this was a good film, because the story is just too sad and too real. What I can say though, is that this is an utmost interesting film, which displays what humans are capable of in a very professional way. I must say this, for I felt this was not so much a dramatized version of a true life event, but rather a documentary on a true life event. This is neither a tear jerker, nor a graphically violent film but maybe that it is also the reason it is twice as memorable as your average psychological drama. This film will leave you sitting shocked and numb in front of your TV.

8 out of 10 (for people who are really interested in the human psyche like psychology students)

7 out of 10 (for the average viewer)