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Created Mar 01, 2011 08:44AM PST • Edited Mar 01, 2011 08:44AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   A dramatic tour de force by young Dakota Fanning, who exhibits an acting range and depth beyond her years in a role as Lewellen, a young girl living in the South in the 1950s. Lewellen worships Elvis Presley, and is thrilled when the King schedules a concert nearby. Sadly, she’s the daughter of a mean father, who has no money for tickets, let alone decent housing and clothing, and is constantly abusive. Lewellen is bright and strong-spirited, which leads her into trouble when she tries to get tickets form an older boy who attacks her.

   The movie is very nicely filmed, capturing the down-home feel of a rural southern community in the 50s. Social structure, class systems, and race relations are all here, as well as the ugliness of child abuse and neglect. There was quite an uproar when the film came out about the abuse the Lewellen faces, and whether it was appropriate for a film. While it is certainly appalling for any child to suffer those indignities, I don’t think it detracted from the film. If anything, I think it’s an integral part of the story, and one that frankly needs to be discussed more, as it is an unfortunate reality of thousands of kids each day. Watching it in a movie does not mean we condone it, just as watching violence in Goodfellas mean we condone executions.

   The pre-pubescent relationships between Lewellen and other kids have a nice innocence to them. Surrounded by a meager existence, they enjoy simple pleasures in life (swimming holes and meadows). Throughout the movie is the role of music, especially that of Elvis and understanding his roots and appreciation for blues. Lewellen grows to appreciate this medium as well, and eventually is able to utilize the blues as part of her healing process.

   Watched on Netflix streaming.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Dakota clearly is the star of this film, and carries her role very well. David Morse gives a fine performance as her father, alothough he tended to lose his edge towards the end.

5. Male Stars Great 4.0

6. Female Stars Great 4.0

7. Female Costars Good 3.0

8. Male Costars Good 3.0

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    Nice use of natural locations, along with some beautiful camerawork.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

    I enjoyed the blues music throughout.

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.0

17. Sex Titillating 1.7

    No nudity, but there is sex portrayed, including the rape of a child.

18. Violence Fierce 2.3

    Lewellens attack is hard to watch, but is done in a realitvely tasteful manner. Or at least as tasteful as something horrific like that can be.

19. Rudeness Salty 2.0

    The use of racial slurs is present throughout the film.

21. Reality

    Natural 1.0

22. Circumstantial Natural 1.0

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Natural 1.0