White Rabbit

I have watched this movie a couple times now and every time I notice something different and have a different theory about the ending. This is going to be the next cult classic, especially since Britt is about to skyrocket to fame and her fans are going to seek this movie out. She is great in this goth role.

The cinematography is so beautiful even though the subject matter is so ugly and the town looks so gritty. The story is so tragic because there are so many things along the way that could have stopped Harlon - his mom could have intervened, he could have joined the church like his dad, his teacher could have tried to help. So many people failed to come through for him. I hope people who see this this movie pay closer attention to those around them who need help.

This film emulates so many films that involve a similar subject matter, and yet somehow fails to capture the same wonderful elements of it's predecessors.

Perhaps one of the biggest flaws right off the bat is the quality of acting, particularly with the younger actors. One thing struck me during my viewing of this film, and that was how the leads looked more like Hollywood teens, and less like something you'd find in the backwoods where this is all taking place. I think it's very likely that the casting for this film revolved more around aesthetics than it did acting ability, which is a shame because much of this movie relies on the lead being able to convey his gradual build-up of rage and anxiety, and unfortunately falls quite flat in this regard.

So with the lead and the love interest just not up to par, this instantly undercuts a lot of the film outright. On top of that the build-up itself, which is just a few instances of your various 'High school sure if ruff' vignettes also leaves something to be desired. The pacing feels off with it. As in the intensity of each little scene does not constantly build, but rather wavers, ebbs and flows between mundane and tragic.

Though really the tragic thing is how much visible potential this film had. A lot could have been done with it, but what was done was not done well. When there're so many great films out there that tackle such difficult subject matter, it becomes really difficult to recommend this one.

A teenager in Louisiana (Nick Krause) faces the challenges of the working class, a troubled father (Sam Trammell), bullies at school and first love (Britt Robertson). Will it push him over the edge?

"White Rabbit" (2013) is a dark coming-of-age drama with gritty realism and an artsy flair. It has been compared to "Donnie Darko," but that one was sci-fi with a high school milieu whereas "White Rabbit" keeps things mundane and relatable, not to mention brooding and edgy. Besides, "Donnie" was essentially a blockbuster while this one cost $2 million.

If you like Indies like "Cutback" (2010) and "Love Everlasting" (2016) or mainline flicks like "The Rage: Carrie 2," you'll appreciate this. The ending doesn't wuss out and is reminiscent of the underrated "Speck" (2002). Thankfully, as dark as it is, it wisely provides a ray of light.

The film runs just over 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in outer New Orleans.

GRADE: B+/A-

Ultimately too violent for me but compelling until then. Nice twist before the ending is well-handled (I didn't see it coming).

Growing up can be tough. It is even more tough as men when we are sensitive, and things can just get to us so much. Bullying tactics might be enough to have us cry and just have different meltdowns of sorts. I believe this is the core theme of this movie.

In life we have challenges and we can rise above them and be better then them or we can let them crush our soul.

Watching bullying movies can be hard for me and yet so relatable although the movie is only about bullying in part I believe it to be one of the central themes. It makes me angry inside seeing bullying but for me I just sympathize with it so much due to my own experiences.

In life we have to be tough but kids do not always know how. In small town living there is not much to do but people have fun doing what people have always been known to do.

Very interesting directing, use of filter, acting, writing, the story flows in an interesting way, and the topics throughout the film are extremely relevant.

There are things with the film I will not talk about, as the story changes in interesting ways throughout the film.

I bumped into this on the "trending now" section on Netflix streaming and I was glad I did. It also has Sam from True Blood in it who I always liked. He plays a real masculine no nonsense type dad.