As I said, it leaves on a positive note that touches deeply into the maternal centers of us all, making the film an emotionally worthwhile experience despite it all, but I won't give it all away. And the cast does it's part to enrich the entire experience. As lead, Evan Rachel Wood, playing Tracy, plays her character powerfully, especially for such a young age. At the beginning, she felt a bit forced, especially in her little victory dance, but once she got warmed up she was burning with vibrant emotion and tension. Holly Hunter, as Tracy's mom Melanie, shined with her proven skill in a multidimensional role of a character given both to serious concern and enthusiastic fancy. Jeremy Sisto appears as Brady playing pretty the same basic presence as his role in 'Six Feet Under,' albiet well. Nikki Reed, playing Evie, acted her role decently, but to no hint of exceptional, along with the other sometimes ametuerish supporting roles not yet mentioned.

A great cast, a digital video visual style that works well (but deserves no special praise for its use of digital), and a solid plot and sentiment to back it all up, 'Thirteen' excels gracefully and powerfully. Not a happy movie, but a film that ends on a very positive scene, nonetheless. 'Thirteen' deserves any praise it is given.

THE FILM ADVERTISED HAS BEEN RATED



BY EATING PEANUTS REVIEWERS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
EPRAA Ratings System

Website Review: (http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/thirteen/) Attractive site with a few interview clips, but nothing terribly probing about such a powerful film. And the full production notes, etc. link was broken. The PDF was a dead link.

(Review ©2003 by Joshua Parkinson, posted originally at http://www.eatingpeanuts.com)