To Write Love on Her Arms

I'll be honest that I don't know what it's like to be addicted to drugs or alcohol, and can't speak to the accuracy of the film in that regard. So I am reviewing the story on things such as artistic feel, acting, plot progression, etc. I did really enjoy this movie, which is surprising considering its content. The characters and their struggles felt real, and the movie had enough balance in the drama to not drag you down too low.

I felt that the artistic elements were beautiful and made sense to the plot. The characters seemed reasonably well acted. I admit I may be biased though as a "Two Broke Girls" fan. I actually thought a lot of the supporting cast were really good too though, and weirdly the person driving the rickshaw seems like their character's story should have been in there a bit more, as it was hinted how important they were to Renee's character, but not as well covered. I did think the person who's place she stayed at seemed a bit more shallow than their character should have been, and am uncertain if that was writing or acting.

Some people have considered this as an anti drug propaganda film, and maybe it is, I can't say. It's based on a true story, and as all films based on true stories we will never have the whole story, not just because the 2 hour time limit, but because there will always be more to the story to the people who actually lived it.

I saw this movie at the Omaha Film Festival and we stayed an extra two to three hours just to watch it (I went up with my school theatre troupe and we had school the next day). I loved it and it moved me and everyone else in the theatre. Kat Dennings is one of my favorite actresses and Chad Micheal Murry was awesome too. We had a Q&A session before the movie with Chad Micheal Murry, David McKenna and Kim the director. We learned about To Write Love On Her Arms and Renee. Just hearing that made me want to see the movie so much more. After the movie, my troupe, along with the parents that attended, were given a packet of questions for the movie with questions asking about how we liked the movie and if we had done any of the stuff in the movie. So we were the guinea pig audience for this movie and we had a blast getting to talk with Chad, David, and Kim. Hope you all liked it because I, and my troupe, loved it!!

Produced in 2012, this film has traveled the film festival circuit for far too long without having a proper mainstream release.

The story's arc is revealed to us through the mind of the main character through an imaginative use of animated visuals. The audience is allowed to travel in and out of the mind of the main character's coping mechanisms through a very clever and effective assortment of visual and musical story devices. When these mechanisms begin to fail, these conventions carry through in an appropriately dynamic fashion.

Rupert Friend delivers a stunning performance in his supporting role, and this film will be a pleasant surprise to those who know this actor from the 'Homeland' series.

The film has some roughness around the edges, and at times feels like a very expensive (and slightly didactic) after-school special. But those moments are fleeting, and are contrasted with some very harsh visuals and story progression that are anything but didactic.

We're presented with a brutally honest story that is at times both beautiful and horrifying in its presentation of characters that come full circle in the end.

I felt like this movie was done very tastefully. It is a touchy subject to do a film with these types of mental health issues. Kat Dennings does an amazing job in this film. I've seen it twice now. You can't help but feel for her character. The supporting characters are great as well. It has a great storyline, and the ending is awesome. I felt they did it in the best way possible, and didn't make it look glamorous the way other movies tend to do. There isn't a moment where you have a dragging of the plot, and there is a fair share of super intense emotional scenes. This movie made me cry, and was just a movie you need to see. Especially if you or someone you know has struggled with anything that's in this movie or related.

"To Write Love on Her Arms" is the real heartbreaking story of substance abuse of Renee Yohe. After a horrible experience on a Halloween party in high school, Renee starts spiraling out of control in the following years with all 8ind of drugs & alcohol, until her best friends and some new friends help her detox. She feels better & gets clean and then her friend Jamie writes a story on MySpace about her life.

This is a true story and this is what makes it even more real and strong. The plot is well constructed and the actors do great, especially Kat Dennings. She's the best choice for the role, with her mixing of easy-going irony and deeper portrayal of pain and deeper emotions: one of her best roles 'til then.

It's a strong movie and its lacking of too much anticipatable happy ending makes it even more close to everyday life. However, it's not too heavy to watch, it has a hopeful message all things considered: you can overcome everything if you want it and if the right people show off helping you at the right moment.

I still don't understand why 3 years had to pass before being released, it's madness! It's success is all deserved.