So after class on Saturday, feeling inspired and empowered by our super class presentations I stopped off at Movie Gallery to rent FREEDOM WRITERS...apparently 15 others did too because all copies were out! Still feeling like I wanted a movie that would connect me to teens I rented THIRTEEN (FOX Searchlight Pictures, 2003) and was left feeling more traumatized than inspired! The movie follows a 13 year old on her quest to fit in, which leads her deeper and deeper into drugs, sex, self-destruction and lies - it was terrifying. I expected the movie to center around the teen-age angst; entering high school and trying to figure out who you are and what you want to be is full of stress and risk...I did not expect such intensity and although I kept reassuring my self that this could not be realistic - most of the reviews praised the film's honesty and accuracy.
So yes teens struggle with peer and parental relationships, and especially in a situation like Tracy's where her own parents are unstable, it is never easy. Throughout the movie I just kept thinking how lost everyone seemed and that there was just so much hurting. The scariest part for me was seeing all of the predatory relationships at work, everyone taking advantage of each other's naivety, trust, guilt, ugh it was so depressing. The other thing that bothered me was the double standard for males and females - the brother was out until all hours, doing drugs too and sex crazed but no one seemed phased by that...anyway I think these are real issues and it was eye-opening for sure.
I still cannot figure out if this is a cautionary tale, are teens supposed to watch this and realize how shattered this girl's life became as a result of her risky behaviors...does that work or do teens just take away what they want from it - how cool it would be to go on a shopping spree with friends using stolen money, what a cheap/easy way to get high with a whipped cream container, the cutting and covering up with bracelets...it just all scares me. As a parent, what I took away from this film was a need to remain a positive role model for my children, keep the lines of communication open, find a balance between trust and protection, and to keep making myself watch and read things like this to keep current on what is going on and what signs to look for.
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One of the things that's interesting to me in this movie is that the teen that it centers on found a way out of that life through this story and becoming an actress. I think that's true
What does that mean for other teens who can't find their way out however? What message does this tale send to them? Your questions are good. Do teens see this as a cautionary tale?
Actually, I don't think many teens watch 13. The reflective state makes it more of an adult movie. I think.
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