sanjin_9632
I don't like Britt Robertson at all. She's as interesting as a brick. If you look at the list of her movies (and series), you'll find next to nothing of any depth or quality. It's mostly melodramatic, shallow, formulaic crap. This little movie is undoubtedly an exception, which cannot be ruined even by her bland acting.The movie's full of little gems, unusual little sentences in conversations. It feels rather authentic than schematic. The supporting cast is pretty good, diverting from the fact that the main character's not all that special. It's more the situations the character gets into and the people that cross her path, inadvertently having an impact on her. I imagine the director and writer, Alison Burnett, used some of her own experiences for this. This being her directing debut, I think she did alright. She managed to use her inexperience as a director to her advantage, giving the film an amateur feel, which kind of added charm and authenticity to the mix. The ending might be confusing to say the least, definitely different, and different is always good in my book. It gives the viewer some space to interpret, imagine or even understand. 6.4/10
maat-33737
This is one of those films where one would expect more recognition. The story and direction are really good, additionally, you will see a good cast and a very pleasant surprise regarding Britt Robertson (Katie). Britt is an incredible actress, and her performance is so strong and superb that she really magnifies this good story. The film is fascinating and deep, and is hard not to be touched emotionally. In short, this is a piece of art, such a smart and strong story, and with a powerful and multilayer message, which leaves you a mixture of deep feelings.Here you have a strong message about how easily men, and some women too, can harm other woman; the struggle of women who have been hurt and without any support of relatives, friends and society; and the incapacity of some people to read the signals of help. But I see a more wide message because, even when the trigger is the abuse in Katie's childhood, the problem is not recognized, underrated or even increased by the attitude of society and mostly by men (sad to say, but the behavior of the men in the movie is very common in real life).Katie's attitude regarding how she handles their sexuality, and her behavior in general, is very understandable when you see how she has been hurt in the past, the lack of communication and support which this young girl has had, as many others in real life, during the most vulnerable moments of her life: the childhood and adolescence. It is not a good behavior of course, but she really asks and needs love, support and comprehension. "Ask Me Anything", paradoxically sounds like a door that Katie left open in her blog, unwittingly and in a search for help. People some times are just waiting for the right question, and it is very easy for all criticize and judge others.In the movie, is really disappointing the attitude of all the men around this fragile and vulnerable girl (except Sheen's character, which sadly, has a despicable story in his past); the exploitation, egotism, indifference, or stupidity which all of them show to the young and beautiful Katie. By the way, the two elements which make her so desirable, irresistible and fragile at the same time. The beauty and the youth of women, in this society, sometimes is a double-pointed knife with very sharp edges. But for the movie, I must admit that I really appreciated the way in which Robertson's beauty is captured in all the approaches and long shots (don't get mad about this, is just an aesthetic appreciation of the beauty of this woman and is a clever way to make a huge empathy with her character).My hassle is related with men's attitude, and therefore with the reality in our society. Stepfather's attitude is unacceptable: Would you let your daughter be back with someone who assaulted her? How relaxed are they (mother too), with the sexual activity of Katie? I am not a puritan, sex is natural and wonderful, but there are ways, places and persons. In her room and with that guy? The room in your house is the safest place for her. Even when that affirmation is true and she has 18 years, this is not best way; where is the respect that should be shown to others for her? Society is bigot and hypocrite, so you must prepare, protect and teach your love ones for that. Is impossible to avoid sex relations of the youths, because they will find a way to do it, but then is when education, communication and concern are important. For people is quite complicated, but without promoting or prohibiting sex relations, there are so many ways to help the youths with their sexuality (maybe is more easy to say and execute if you have a democratic education).About the characters of Slater and Long, they should have acted with more maturity, they are men and she is a really young girl, not so innocent as the slogan says, but disturbed and in need for love. OK, she is so beautiful and provocative, and is easy to fall in their enchantments, but then your moral and intelligence will solve the situation. About the other guy, the depressed one, no one must pay for the sickness of the others. For the perverted Solagee, there are no words, and the father of Katie, no matter how much he really loved his daughter, he proves that he was an idiot in some aspects: you cannot talk in that way with your daughter (or any other woman).And about the end, I have the other part of the message: the last smile of Katie in the tub, even when she is so young and has been constantly hurt, shows a strong woman in the process of leave behind her past and maybe in the path of a new and better future. She is looking forward, for the love and support that will come with her child, and with the hope to avoid the same mistakes which so much damage did her. Hard for her mother and a selfish decision the Katie's vanishing? Yes, but people get hurt many times by the actions of their own past, even when seems to be not deserved, and many times is really hard for people give or receive the forgiveness and sometimes is required a healing time in order to move forward and take the next step.So, the message is not just related with victims like Katie and her situation, but for all of us, and with multiple connotations.
