Hurt

Ended up catching this disturbing and affecting Canadian movie like most people did, on late night pay Tv.

Coming from an abusive household myself, maybe I was a little bit more sympathetic to the characters than most people would be. I do agree with other reviewers that the visual representations of their abuse were a little over the top and heavy handed (re: the screaming while on the swings scene). But the performances were just so universally excellent from all the teens, that I really got caught up in the story regardless. The three teens felt like real friends, and their reactions to everything that happened, considering the difficulty of the material, was nothing short of amazing.

In fact, the rest of the cast is excellent as well, with a special mention going to Darla's father, who gets just the right mix of crazy, selfish, and loving to make him feel real.

Ultimately, this movie is emotional, and I found myself crying at the end like many others did. Coming from that type of abuse in my childhood, I sat watching, thinking hopefully there was a positive end coming for all these characters.

Yet this is not a Hollywood film, and no matter how much I hated it, the ending was perfectly appropriate and honest. I have read many people who disagreed with the way it all played out, but to me it felt like the ultimate symbolism, and something that happens far more than any of us would like to admit

Quite simply, the movie is a hard watch, but for those who enjoy true emotional and realistic filmaking, its a gem. A movie that refuses to cater to the moral code (especially with the ending), and is all the better for it. Whether its morally responsible or not is a judgment call.

Although the movie seems not credible sometimes, these things DO happen, and I guess this is the scariest part. If we just shrugged off this film as an overdramatic teenage drama, we'd make a mistake, in my opinion. I wouldn't say that the characters were developed brilliantly and without any flaws, but they were strong enough. Although in some parts it seems that they shouldn't be feeling and/or doing what they are, if you really think about it, you'd understand. This film makes you think, and also re-evaluate your own life and attitude. And that's what is great, isn't it?

It seems I lucked into watching a really great movie tonight. They showed it here in Canada on Showcase, and I hope they show it again real soon. Great job by all involved. The acting was wonderful, the script was wonderful... pretty much everything was very well done. I would also love to see this coming out on DVD soon, but from reading the other comments, it doesn't look like it will happen. If you need someone to help storm that warehouse, just give me a ring! If I hear anything about it being re-broadcast anytime soon (I'll e-mail Showcase tonight too, to see what their plans are with it), I'll be sure to post in here for all fans hoping to catch it again.

I think people should see this movie. It's a well made DV feature with a good story and really good acting. In the center of the film are it's three protagonists (Darla, Stevie, and Boy) and their relationships with abuse. A simple enough concept, an easy view, but what makes this movie special are two things: A) the abuse is never exploitive (See: Larry Clark's "Kids") and B) Although centered in reality there is enough cathartic visualization to distract the viewer. This also sort of works against the film in that when we get sucked into the reality of the story our hearts break, but when we see or hear something a little out of place we become slightly removed from the mythology the script had created. For example: when the trio are on the swing set and its pouring rain, as they swing higher and higher they scream louder and louder. This is a really nice visualization of Catharsis but it may be a little to arty for the gritty DV reality that are the lives of Darla, Stevie, and Boy. Another example (although much more palpatable): The Bonfire Scene. The trio throw into a bonfire that which binds them to their abuse. As a visual statement, it's very powerful, I just don't know that the Characters in this film would have that sort insight ; they seem smart enough to concoct a wonderfully clever rouse yet not smart enough to leave their respective situations...grant it that's kind of the point Dimarco is making: Abuse is not something easily walked away from. Steve Dimarco is also wonderful writer: "there are worse things a guy can put inside of you besides his cxxk"-Darla "Like what?"-Stevie "Like his thoughts"-Darla I just don't know that these characters would say these great lines. Maybe they would, I mean they did so obviously they 'would'. And these critiques are minor ones. I was really affected by this movie. I think it's a great calling card for future features from a brave new voice in Canadian Cinema. I hope Steve Dimarco is well funded and finds the perfect medium for his visual ideas. See this movie. Good Stuff.

I just caught this one, like most everybody else, on Movie Central late at night. By the end I was in tears. There was no soundtrack, the acting was a little incredulous, there was no cookie-cutter Hollywood warm feeling in your stomach when the credits began to roll. But real life doesn't always come with a side order of happy ending and that's why this movie touched me in such a powerful way. The acting may have been a little suspect...but the characters portrayed mirror parts in some of us, or in people we know in a very straightforward (and for some of us who have been down that road, painful) kind of way.

I guess you really have to experience the kinds of abuse that stem from substance abuse, neglect and a broken home life (along with the natural side-effects; depression, blame and hatred) to really understand how attractive suicide becomes. When just running away, taking another ride, or drowning your sorrows in whatever toxic substance happens to be your poison of choice, is no longer enough. This kind of thing happens every day for real, I know it has in my life (and I thank God for the second chance that I've been given).

I would recommend this show for anyone who is or has been abused, felt like death is the only option, or just can't find the strength to deal with all the pain inside. In the writers own words "For those who have survived, for those who have not and for those who continue to struggle..."