M.F.A.

This movie would have to appease the internal fantasies of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of women victims of rape whose outcry for help and for justice has invariably been suppressed and unheard, only then to backfire causing further anguish due to the severe flaws in our judicial systems and society abroad, whereby all our faith is put in this system so that we can go about our day with a makeshift smile on our face whilst feeling what we believe to be 'secure'.

All opinions aside about 'law and order' and whether it's always 'just' or not since the topic is oddly controversial despite the evidence that it is not.. This movie was executed nicely (all pun intended). I applaud the rogue vigilante acted by Francesca Eastwood for her portrayal of a victim suffering and for her very believable no-bs approach to justice - a true warrior of truth in every sense of the term and every ounce of my blood boiled in her moments of contention in hopes that she survived and evades any kind of consequences.

Pulling these moments along was a compelling heart beat themed soundtrack with cleverly overlaid voice effects when the necessary that portrayed the inner psyche reflecting on itself. All sets where also compelling enough too, but obviously nothing too notably being just another university campus.

The big question that remains for me after viewing this film and to which I believe the jury to still be out on is: Is redemption possible? Since my father was a supposed rapist, or worse yet.. a pedophile, you can imagine my feelings toward this topic are strong, but strong enough to commit any acts like those in this film? maybe I am weak unlike our main character in this film, but I remain similarly f#%ked up regardless and I remain perplexed despite the allegation against him being lifted as to whether or not he still deserves a visit from real justice or has the time been and gone?

Noelle (Francesca Eastwood) is studying painting at a Californian college for her MFA. She is invited to a party by hunky classmate Luke. They make out but the sex turns rough. She tries to stop but is overpowered by him. Her neighbor Skye counsels letting it go as she had done with her own rape. Noelle decides to report to the school therapist but her questioning is accusatory. She joins a help group but the girls are ineffectual. She confronts Luke and accidentally kills him. She decides to turn into a vigilante. Police detective Kennedy (Clifton Collins Jr.) investigates.

Clint's daughter Francesca Eastwood is an interesting new actress. She hasn't broken through yet but she has the charisma to get noticed. She has a nice dark side and does damaged well. The writing is a little pedestrian but it generally works. More needs to be given to Clifton Collins Jr. His is the key for tension and drama but he isn't given the needed material. Generally, this is fine but it doesn't really push the envelope.

Francesca Eastwood, is great and a fresh actress, who really knows how to electrify her performances. She reminds me a lot of Asia Argento (another famous actor, director father), in the sort of roles she's choosing and how she comes across on screen. She's very talented and certainly has a screen presence. The rape revenge plot has been done over and over but this movie has a lot of social comment to digest; although it tends to be a bit heavy handed at times. The ending is quite a satisfactory and moving conclusion.

This was a good to very good thriller. Francesca Eastwood painted a wonderful portrait of a victim turning to vengeance. The director obviously knew the subject matter well as the plot of the movie came across a entirely possible with the original premise being all to factual, The action keeps moving, It will hold your attention without being to gory or intellectual. Plenty of violence

The rape culture, the crime of rape and societies reaction to the victims and the rapists are a stain on America. This movie draws some needed attention to the priorities of our judicial and higher educational systems with regard to rape, victims of rape and it's perpetrators, I thank the all people who worked on this film for their efforts to bring attention to this very uncomfortable subject. A special vote of appreciation to Natalia Leite who directed this both from the heart and from personal experience.

Good ideas, sometimes bad and laughable execution, not realistic at all. A great performance save it from being an entirely bad film, but it's not very compelling either.