Toe to Toe

I just returned home from seeing this movie at the E Street Landmark theater in DC. It was a coming of age movie the likes I've never seen and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the story unfold.

I loved the use of DC as the backdrop and I felt the story and the characters were very well developed. I wanted to know more and I felt for all the characters even when they were doing something that upset me.

Good job Ms. Abt and everyone involved!

Gosh...I really didn't have anything else to say but I guess I'll keep typing until IMDb tells me that my review contains enough lines to be submitted. I hope this is all I need.

I caught this movie on cable. I was pleasantly surprised how good it was given the relatively unknown actors. The teens' dialogue seemed realistic and the depiction of the home life felt authentic. It came close to being "cliche ridden" but never quite got there. I presume the director had real life experience with the subject matter. I found myself caring about the characters. However, I wish there would have been at least one positive male role model. It was great to see Gaius Charles - who was terrific in Friday Night Lights - in a different role. In addition, Leslie Uggams did a nice job. For "The Wire" fans, there was a cameo by an actor who had a meaty role in that excellent series.

Unexpected surprise with this movie. The actors are very good, first time I've seen most of them in a performance. The story wrapped very plausibly around the two main characters and very nicely portrayed each one's life. The supporting characters also proved serious in their performance. I hope to see more from Emily Abt too, as this project may have been personal, but she may have much more talent hidden inside and yet to be developed Not into "teen" movies but this was for everyone. Great depictions of family, friend and casual relationships. Not much fluff; it was a very serious look at this generation's struggle in Metro America.

I really resonated with how the family relationships or lack of support, neglect affected the behaviors. I found this a wonderful example of the power of upbringing to move you forward or leave you empty. I guess it's what I also struggle with and so that's why I really felt this movie. I'm supposed to include ten lines here to get my review posted...hmmm. So much for a little succinct clarity. I also enjoyed the way the story was told. I think the writer and directory, who of course are the same, created a heart felt story without going over the top. She developed the characters and I really empathized with them. I'm almost to ten, there.

I truly enjoyed this movie. I am disappointed to see it has been rated so low. However, I am not surprised as this film has two lead female characters who grapple with issues of identity, sexuality, and companionship just to name a few. This film went much deeper than I expected and it was quite refreshing to see an authentic portrayal of teen women that did not involve some form of objectification and/or oppression.

I work with teens and would consider showing this film to the young women that I work with as a teaching and discussion tool. The two actors were excellent in this movie. I was drawn in and found myself invested with both of the lead females. At the end I definitely had some empathy for Jesse. I have worked with many girls who are like her and now have a better understanding of their motivations.

All in all, an excellent movie.