Speak (2004)Review by Rashmi Rajshekhar
Speak is an American independent movie directed by Jessica Sharzer, based on the New York Times bestseller and the Printz Honour winning novel of the same name by Laurie Halse Anderson. Although like most movies it deviates slightly from the book, it stays faithful to the original story. It stars Kristen Stewart in a breakout role as troubled teenager, Melinda Sordino, Steve Zahn as the free-thinking and understanding art teacher, Elizabeth Perkins and D.B.Sweeney as Melinda’s concerned, but overworked and busy parents. The film was screened at the Sundance Festival and was critically acclaimed. It is a moving story of a traumatized girl, battling her inner demons and finally breaking out of her cocoon. Melinda Sordino is a happy and a normal fourteen year old, who is looking forward to a wonderful four years at high school with her best friends. However, her world falls apart when she gets raped at a house party she attends with her friends that summer. Traumatized, she calls the police but she’s unable to say anything to anyone. Since no one knows the truth about what happened, everyone, including her best friends, ostracize her and give her the tag of “squealer”. The teachers at Merryweather High School are also distant and unapproachable: from the terrifying Mr. Neck who constantly bullies Melinda, to the English teacher (who Melinda refers to as the Hair woman) who refuses to make eye contact with her students... |