David Schwimmer directs this emotionally gripping drama about a girl groomed on the internet, and the devastating effects it has on her family.
Annie (Liana Liberato), is a typical fourteen-year-old high school student. Her life consists of hanging out with friends, spending time with her family, and playing sports. However, she develops a relationship with a guy called Charlie online, who, at first, gives her advice on how to improve her volleyball abilities. The two soon become more involved, speaking on the telephone, texting all the time, and developing romantic feelings towards each other, and when Charlie suggests they meet, Annie is left in a dilemma about her relationship with Charlie which she has kept mostly secret from her parents.
It is a beautifully tragic film, one that is extremely relevant and potent. The film’s comments about our current cultural reliance upon electronic communication and the exposure of it to the youth are well made and informed. Also, rather than becoming preachy about parent’s duties to their kids, and keeping them locked in a bubble, it simply explores the nature of a family during very hard times, and also the coping mechanisms which people initiate.
Clive Owen plays the dad of the family, whose murderous anger at the situation is very compelling and engaging to watch, and Owen delivers a few moments which are brilliantly performed. The star of the film, though, has to be Liana Liberato, whose depth and emotional vulnerability make her the most interesting performer on screen, and she tackles the difficult moments in Annie’s life with subtle confidence.
Schwimmer has directed a wonderful film here, one that tackles the emotional heartache of the story well, brilliantly balancing the ugliness with the poignancy. His choices in camera angles give for some intimate moments of character development, and we see physically how this situation affects them. Also, not using music during some of the scene changes gave a sparseness to the atmosphere which went well with the film’s themes of devastation and tragedy.
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