Thirteen (2003)

Excellent but underrated film

Did you people see the same film I saw?

Absolutely the worst movie.

It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

As many others have outlined in these reviews, this is a classic. This film is so effective, they show it to adolescent girls in schools across America.The pitfalls for young girls in America today are many fold, as this film shows us.I have slightly different tack.What has happened to America such that a girl like Evie is the envy of every girl in the school? Or, could this only have happened in Los Angeles? Intentionally or not, this film demonstrates how traditional family values in America have been subverted by a culture that sells 'Cool', 'Hip', and yes, multiculturalism at all costs. By traditional values, I'm not talking about church going, bible thumping, I'm talking about work ethic, valuing intelligence, desire for success, etc.Whether or not it was the intention of the filmmakers, Evie and cohorts were behaving like young African American girls.This film shows the issues that affect adolescent girls in America today, but it also exposes a cultural climate that is toxic for families trying to raise children with proper values.This film is now 14 years old. Its become evident how this subversion and toxicity has affected a generation.

The movie perfectly showed a very common problem in todays society - peer pressure destroying a life of a girl, who was alright at first, but after meeting ''the popular'' girl Evie her life rapidly went downhill. People with weak characters can easily be influenced like this, completely destroying their relationships with the family and/or close friends, just to look cool in the eyes of the cool kids.It was clearly visible that Tracy is emotionally weak and that she is going to be easily manipulated by her new friend Evie, who was into drugs, alcohol etc., despite her very young age (13). When things got tough Evie was quick to get the blame onto Tracy, despite their strong friendship, well at least Tracey thought it was a great friendship.The movie didn't have that many action as you would expect from a movie of this type, it played more on the relationship between Tracy and her mother, showing that Tracy completely ignored her mother, being blatantly blindfolded and manipulated by her new best friend. Sadly that is a very common problem today, apparently it was more than 12 years ago, when the movie was released."Thirteen" is worth seeing just for the excellent performances of Evan Rachel Wood, Nikki Reed and Holly Hunter, all three of the main characters showed strong acting throughout the movie and that is what was the most impressive about it, the movie didn't have any memorable moments or outstanding scenes, but it had great performance by the actresses throughout, nonetheless.

It would be easy to dismiss "Thirteen" as a teen movie or even a chick flick. But the reality is that "Thirteen" is a low budget indie-movie and was the directorial debut of Catherine Hardwick. The title indicates that this is essentially a teen movie which centers about the life of a thirteen year old girl. It's a common, archetypal premise and the script was co-written by Nikki Reed, somewhat based on her own experiences. It's not a bad choice or move, but "Thirteen" does fall into the archetypal traits. But "Thirteen" comes across as a gritty departure and in some ways tragic.Despite having nostalgic memories of this movie, I must say the indie-factor perhaps hampers the film more than it should. It's not that "Thirteen" is bad, It manages to engage and entertain. But despite the faux documentary style, the film suffers from clunky dialog, incoherent screen writing and bad character development. The problem is that "Thirteen" never quite develops the characters in a compelling or positive way. The grittiness and the willingness to dive deep into the themes is admirable, but "Thirteen" never quite manages to tell a coherent or fulfilling story or come to a final conclusion.While none of the acting is outstanding, the actors makes the characters shine. Cute Evan Rachel Wood is natural and believable as the goodie Tracy. Nikki Reed makes a fine Evie, the hot, impetuous and popular teenage girl who becomes the bad influence on Tracy. Holly Hunter is the best one of the group, making a good, caring, yet oblivious and human mother."Thirteen" is typical of it's genre, but becomes watchable and engaging thanks to it's good cast and good songs. While the story could've been more tighter and less clunky, "Thirteen" is still fine entertainment.

Was hooked from the first scene and thank god it wasn't made by a Frenchperson. Because it runs on all of the things I hate about European movies: roving cameras, POV, extreme close-ups, irrational cuts, dislikeable characters being dislikeable, no discernible plot and so on.Or Canadian: not a whiff of PC.Instead, everything works in a tale told in chaos skating on the edge of a cliff, ending in a shaky affirmation.I could cite chapter and verse but the first few scenes do that better than any review, though it is pleasing to see so many of the reviewers here doing just that. And to see so many who appreciate it on its own terms.Finally, Evan Wood is the movie. Somehow, she makes you care about her character and Nikki Reed is her perfect foil, like Iago gleefully dragging Othello to hell. Holly Hunter's performance is delightfully understated. Most of the males, being adolescents, are irritating as hell but they're believable and well-acted, as are all of the characters.Final final, surprised at how few of the reviews were negative given both the subject matter and the presentation. Just as I automatically view many European films as exercises in clumsy masturbation, I can see how many of the movie's elements could be turnoffs on first view. That so few reacted that way I can only credit to Ms. Wood's performance.