Thirteen (2002) R - 3½ Stars

I really liked this movie partially written by the co-star Nikki Reed. Filmed in Los Angeles, it's a scary look at what goes in some young girls life when they feel the need to be noticed.

Tracy (Evan Rachel Wood) appears to be a normal 13 year old girl in the 7th grade. She gets good grades in school and is talented in poetry. She lives with her brother and mom Melanie (Holly Hunter). Dad seems to not have much time for his children these days and he has remarried and working on a new project. But Tracy is restless and lacking something, going through that awkward age where her body is changing.

Evie (Nikki Reed), is one of the most popular girls in school and Tracy longs to be like her and have her as a friend. She pays her a compliment one day and Evie gives her a number to call to hook up later on. Tracy thinks she's been accepted until she calls the number only to find out it's disconnected. She heads out for the mall to find Evie and win her as a friend. When she meets up with Evie, her and another girl are shoplifting in a store. Tracy doesn't feel comfortable stealing and starts to leave. But when temptation is in her face of an unguarded purse, she snatches it up and returns to the girls inside offering to buy them new shoes. Instant gratification as she is accepted into the "cool" group. Tracy feels like her life just got the meaning and recognition she's been waiting for.

The girls are inseparable, dressing alike and teasing all the boys. But, Evie is a bad influence on Tracy and the two continue to get into more trouble together when Evie convinces Tracy to pierced her tongue insisting that her mother won't notice. She arrives at school the next day, sporting a thong, tongue ring and a whole new wardrobe accentuating her newly developed body and the boys take note. This one time "good girl" now ditches class, plays with drugs and is ruining her relationship with her mother as well as her old friends.

2003 - Thirteen - National Board of Review - Special Recognition for Excellence in Filmmaking.


Antidote Films
Director: Catherine Hardwicke
Writers: Nikki Reed, Catherine Hardwicke
Producer: Jeffrey Levy-Hinte

I viewed 6/08