Well, this couldn't be a great film, or it could. The thing is, it is made, although very professionally, for TV, and no everyone gets to see these TV films. I don't wanna put "TV Films" like in a category (although they are), because they sometimes can be really good, and can show reality, sometimes. I'm sorry for all the "sometimes" but it is important for the description of this very interesting project, done with a lot of work.
The movie deals with events, so, you know, when everything has come to a boiling point, don't expect anything else, because that's were the journey ends (and I'm not saying it in a bad way). The whole piece has strong and convincing performances from all the cast, and a very realistic and powerful issue to mess with. What would happen if your beloved and outstanding daughter screwed up, badly? As a parent, probably you would freak out, but think about your daughter's position. She has all the right to speak, I mean, you have trusted her for so long, and she has done everything correctly, but now...The thing is, she knows what you're going to say, and she's ready to stand against it: She has been doing everything you asked her for! The characters come as real as they could. You have all types of persons, dealing with different things, but, somehow, at some point, something is going to unite everything, to one only problem; and that could be the biggest one. I mean, you have this 14-year old girl, who says to be a "sexpert". You couldn't believe this as soon as you heard it, but it could be true; and she's not the only one. There's a main storyline, yes. But it is, in some way, the whole thing. What's going on? The camera takes you on a reality tour, to high-school parties and private reunions, stealing, drug selling (and buying, of course) and, how to forget, again, sex. This camera seems to move fast, and it's very well done, because it has many things to show. In many parts, the camera changes; colors, frames, style. It's well handled.
Performances are strong, and convincing, I said. And it was wonderful to see Marcia Gay Harden in this kind of role. She makes it so believable. She plays the kind of mother that wants to let go, but is afraid to, and is constantly worried about her child. She has that concern in her eyes, the whole time. Just watch her.
This could be defined as a double-faced world. It is reality, yes. But one face could be hell; I think I have already explained it. Hannah, the main character of the film, gets inside of this hell, and explores. She could like it. Then there's Tommy, her best friend and possible love. He loves her, and wants to keep her away from the bad things ("hell"). But he's not going to oblige her.
He's waiting...That could be heaven.
