Thirteen (2003)

THIRTEEN (2003) 4 stars out of 4. Starring Holly Hunter, Evan Rachel Wood, Nikki Reed, Jeremy Sisto, Brady Corbet, Deborah Kara Unger, Kip Pardue, Sarah Clarke, D.W. Moffett, Vanessa Anne Hudgens and Jenicka Carey. Director of photography Elliot Davis. Written by Catherine Hardwicke & Nikki Reed. Directed by Catherine Hardwicke. Rated R. Running time: 95 minutes.

Parents beware: If you already feel insecure about your child-raising skills, Thirteen will instill the urge to lock up your young teens until they're about 30. And if you're smug and you think you're on top of everything because you've read all the books, Thirteen will be a cold splash of reality.

Thirteen is a distressing and disturbing drama, more so because it was co-written by a 13-year-old girl, Nikki Reed, who also co-stars in the film.

Directed by Catherine Hardwicke in almost a cinema-verite, documentary style, Thirteen will pain and alarm you, as well as challenge your assumptions, not only about your kids, but their friends and classmates.

Reed, who co-wrote the screenplay with Hardwicke, does not paint a pretty picture of puberty. The angst, anger, disillusionment and rebellion she brings to her story will sicken you more than the goriest slasher film.

The harrowing performances Hardwicke elicits from her young actors also makes you squirm; they seem so true, so natural, that you feel as if you're eavesdropping on some dysfunctional family.

The pivotal role in the film is that of Tracy, portrayed by Evan Rachel Ward. Tracy is a hurt and confused youngster, lashing out at her divorced mom, Melanie (Holly Hunter) and trying desperately to fit in.

Tracy hooks up with Nikki (Reed), another emotionally damaged adolescent, and together they begin acting out their dissatisfaction: shoplifting, piercings, drugs and sex, are all ingredients in their escape plan. Yet these only provide momentary solace, for the real world of school, parents and life beats down on them as a desert sun at high noon.

Meanwhile, Tracy's mom, Melanie, appears oblivious to what is going on around her. Melanie cannot understand why Tracy continually rebuffs her, nor does she know how to regain control of her spiraling daughter.

Hunter's performance is heartbreaking, as she tries everything to reconnect with Tracy.

Young Wood's Tracy is so frighteningly accurate that you forget you're watching an actress. You sit in the theater, shake your head, cluck, sigh or gape as you watch this fine young performer create a young monster.

Reed is just as powerful as Evie, the conniving friend -- acting out her own demons -- who gladly guides Tracy into her sordid world they visit to compensate for what they believe is missing in their lives.

Hardwicke, in her debut behind the camera, takes us deep into the world of Tracy and Evie, but does so without intruding. We can only sit back helplessly and watch their self-destructive actions.

Director of photography Elliot Davis coldly observes Tracy and Evie, but he never uses the camera as an editorial tool to comment on their behavior.

Thirteen ends on a hopeful note, but still you wonder if Tracy can truly find her way out of her wilderness and back into the arms of those who love her.

If you have teenagers, you will rush home from Thirteen and want to hug them tightly and never let them go. And if you've already passed this stage in parenting -- either successfully or semi-successfully -- you may want to light a candle and give thanks.

Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at bobbloom@iquest.net. Other reviews by Bloom can be found at www.jconline.com by clicking on movies. Bloom's reviews also appear on the Web at the Rottentomatoes Web site, www.rottentomatoes.com and at the Internet Movie Database: http://www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom

==========
X-RAMR-ID: 35923
X-Language: en
X-RT-ReviewID: 1204289
X-RT-TitleID: 1124997
X-RT-SourceID: 872
X-RT-AuthorID: 1363
X-RT-RatingText: 4/4