Bastard Out of Carolina

I just watched this movie in my Advanced Developmental Psychology class, and I was blown away by it. Naturally, the professor warned us that the film contained some very graphic scenes, as it certainly did. There were moments where I absolutely could not look up at the screen. The film is wonderfully directed (by Anjelica Huston) and acted. Jennifer Jason Leigh gives one of the best performances of her career. She's one of those actresses who has talent and I have nothing against her, but rarely do I find myself raving about her performances. Here, she's given a genuinely challenging role, as she has to be both disturbed by her new husband's abuse towards her daughter, yet at the same time deeply in love with him. My class is predominantly female, so most of the girls were groaning and yelling out things like "You're stupid!" when she kept deciding to get back with the creep. But it's easy to say that while you're sitting on your butt looking at a TV screen. Tons of women get into relationships with abusive husbands, and guys who treat them like crap, and how many of them actually get out of those relationships? Love is a strange, strange thing. There's no way to explain it. But I didn't feel it was in any way inaccurate for Leigh's character to keep wanting to get back with Ron Eldard.

I know Eldard from his role on the cancelled sitcom "Men Behaving Badly" and his supporting roles in films like "Sleepers" and "The Last Supper." Prior to this movie, I would've never envisioned him in this sort of role, as I didn't really think of him as a daring, intense actor. I would envision an actor like Ray Liotta or James Woods in this sort of role. But I think Eldard's apparent naivete really gives dimension to this role. He doesn't in any way appear like someone who would act abusive towards anyone, as it usually turns out in real life. He also plays the character with a certain charm, which gives us some insight into why Leigh decided to stay with him. Of course, he never gets a handle on the Carolina accent (at times even sounding like an Englishman, as he struggles so hard), but as I got more and more into the film, I barely paid attention to the flaws in his accent. After watching this film, I will definitely look at Eldard much differently, as much more than the fun-loving buddy of Rob Schneider on "Men Behaving Badly" (a show I used to watch pretty frequently).

The cast is also composed of fine character actors, like Glenne Headley and Michael Rooker--who's absolutely terrific as Leigh's short-fused brother. Of course, that isn't an unusual role for him, but he plays it very well and packs a great dramatic punch in this performance especially. Jena Malone shows why she grew up to star in big films like "Stepmom" and "For Love of the Game." Even at this age, she is fully convincing as a tortured young girl. I just kept on wondering what the director gave her as motivation for her different emotions, since I'm guessing they couldn't outwardly address the issues or rape and abuse to a girl of her age.

The film contains some of the most disturbing scenes in American cinema (I stress the word "American," because I've seen more graphic rape scenes in foreign films like "The Bandit Queen" and "Pixote"), so even those with stomachs of steel should beware. But how many films you watch really get you talking and thinking, and send you an emotional journey--without using cheap shots? I don't have A.D.D. or anything, but rarely do I get so lost in a film that my attention never drifts and I never take time to look at my watch. This is one of those rare powerful, touching films that I will never forget!

My score: 9 (out of 10)

This movie really got to me. I couldn't get those horrible molestation and rape scenes out of my mind. All I could think of afterwards was "What was Jena Malone's mother thinking when she agreed to this?" Yes, I know they were acting, but no young pre-teen should be subjected to that kind of material.

I just finished watching this movie again for the third time in the last two days. Each time I watch it I discover something I missed in the previous viewing. There are no wasted lines or scenes. It is a powerful 1996 movie with excellent performances, dealing with the touchy subject of child abuse.

Anjelica Huston is the director and this is her first attempt at directing a feature length movie. The results are stunning. It is altogether a flawless movie, with an excellent script based on the Dorothy Allison novel, and stars Jena Malone as the young protagonist. Jennifer Jason Leigh is in the tough role of the mother torn between the choices she faces in loving both her daughter and the abusive stepfather. Many times throughout the movie I sat on the edge of my seat stunned by the action happening onscreen. It is not a movie with pat answers and predictable solutions, but manages to show the complexities involved in each situation. There are no cardboard characters either, as in real life not everyone is totally good or evil, though their actions may dip into either category from time to time.

The most compelling performance, in a film loaded with excellent acting, comes from young Malone, who commands a role that many adult actresses would no doubt have trouble handling. Her face tells a thousand stories with each shot giving a multi-leveled meaning to the deeper motivations that lie within her character.

After the credits Glenne Headly provides further information about the subject and a child abuse hotline number, which is a great addition to a film of this sort. It is not "entertainment" per se, but more along the lines of an informational public service. The symptoms of child abuse are highlighted throughout the movie and the effect of everyone's participation documented as fair warning to the viewer.

I can't praise this movie enough. A film like this raises my awareness and compassion level and makes me want to reach out to help in any way I can. It exceeds expectations in just about every way imaginable.

Bastard Out of Carolina (1996)

*** (out of 4)

Graphic adaptation of the Dorothy Allison novel takes place in the South Carolina as a young girl (Jena Malone) begins to be physically and sexually abused by her stepfather (Ron Eldard) while her mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) keeps overlooking what's going on. BASTARD OUT OF CAROLINA was the directorial debut from Anjelica Huston and while I'd question some of the flow in the story there's no question that she dives head first into the abuse and doesn't pull any punches. This here is a pretty hard film to watch because of how graphic it is towards the abuse in the film. I was really shocked at how much detail was shown when it came to the abuse because most of the time the camera pulls away with a child involved but that wasn't the case here. It's clear that Huston wanted to show how horrid the abuse of a child was and this here was shown and it certainly wasn't easy to watch. The film really benefits from some incredibly strong performances with Malone leading the way as the abused girl. She's completely believable in the part and it was certainly needed because the actress really makes you feel that she's this smart little girl being forced to grow up quickly because of her situation. Jennfier Jason Leigh also turns in a powerful performance as the mother who can't leave her husband even though he's hurting her daughter. Eldard is a complete slime here and perfectly captures the spirit of the character. We also get strong supporting performances by Michael Rooker, Lyle Lovett, Glenn Headly, Grace Zabriske, Diane Scarwid and Pat Hingle. Christina Ricci appears in one scene. I think there were times when the film didn't flow as good as it could have but there's no question that Huston gets her message across. The film is hard to recommend to most people due to how depressing and graphic it is but those who do sit through the film will be rewarded with a strong picture.

This film is a heart wrenching look at child abuse. The plot revolves around a young girl as she suffers mental, physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather. She watches her mother struggle between the love she has for her child and the love she has for her husband.

Let's start off by saying that the performances in this film are sincere and it pulls the viewer into the reality of this child. I found myself feeling for her and hating the mother and stepfather. It was almost a relief to see that extended family was so willing to be there for the child. So, the story here is difficult but touching. My only complaint was that I wanted to see more. I wanted to see this child excelle despite her circumstances.

I'm really glad I decided to finally sit down and watch this. It was so worth it.