 Being a teenager can be quite a chore, but for one Tracy Freeland, it's a little more complicated than that. "Thirteen" is a 2003 release that displays one of the most shocking coming of age stories since Larry Clark's 95' film, Kids. Catherine Hardwicke and Nikki Reed came together to create a compelling drama of drugs and defiance centered around one young woman's struggle to fit in. "Thirteen" is an in-depth look at just how destructive a seemingly harmless childhood relationship can be when there is no quality parental guidance to intervene. So let's go forth with an open mind, as we Unhinge this whirlwind of discovery in "Thirteen". Tracy Freeland(Evan R. Wood) is your average 13-year old girl doing her best to fit in at school and get along with family as one would expect, at first. But, as the story moves along, she begins a relationship with a peer named, Evie(Nikki Reed), who is obviously more advanced in the realm of mischief than most girls at "Thirteen". Evie introduces the impressionable Tracy, to a world far outside her scope of understanding which includes drugs, sex and other mature, yet illegal acts that even most adults don't pursue. Now, this is what most youths are exposed to at some point and time, but what if there is no parent to intervene? This is where Tracy's story gets interesting because not only is Tracy's family there to witness to the change, they are also powerless to intervene. With no parental guidance, Tracy increases the distance from family ties, while at the same time, Evie becomes enmeshed within the dysfunction of the Freeland home. You see, Evie(Reed) is one of those pretty girls that is perfect on the outside, but has enough darkness on the inside to eclipse the sun. We've all known the type, "Ms. Perfect" , the girl that surrounds herself with people just to take the focus off of the hell within her own life. "Thirteen" does an excellent job of placing these two trouble youths together and giving viewers an up-close encounter of what goes wrong in so many homes today. It's an amazing film that is sure to leave you talking, especially if you're a parent. Holly Hunter is also an actress in the film that plays Tracy's mother, Melanie, who is one sip away from losing her own sanity. The character of Melanie should speak to a lot of the moms in the world raising kids with the "workaholic" father who is almost always absent when needed most. Melanie is the parent who is most visible and in the perfect position to intervene, but somehow she just can't find the path to reach her daughter. This evident inability allows Tracy's descent into self-injurious behavior to spiral way out of control, teetering ever closer to severe consequences such as jail and/or suicide. Can Melanie ward off her own demons long enough to save her daughter's life? The experience of watching "Thirteen" was definitely satisfying in that it serves as a wake-up call to many sleeping parents around the globe. If you don't have a hand in your child's life, especially the formative years, then someone else will steer the boat. Now, we realize that no one can be all places at all times, but if your not even able to maintain balance in your own home, how can you save a child slipping away from the coast? Yeah, it's not easy, but for those that make the sacrifice to push a little harder, the rewards can be great. Even still with sacrifice and effort your child may succumb to addiction, crime and other dark paths, but you owe it to them to make sure you do your best. Okay, off we're off the soapbox..lol Who should watch this movie? Anyone and everyone that is of age to handle the mature content within this amazing story. Is "Thirteen" a true story? It's loosely based on some of the events that took place in Nikki Reed's life, but with some flair for dramatization. End conclusion- Rent it today, it's a quality film that will open your eyes! If you enjoyed reading this review, why not support the site, by sharing it with others? Thanks for reading -Unhinged Reviews-
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