Review of Speak (2004) by Ellenrebekah A — 14 Apr 2013

I think it might be Kristen Stewart's best performance (there are a couple I haven't seen). I read the book several months ago. Melinda is raped over the summer, tries to call the police, and everyone thinks she just ratted them out. It's terrifying how nobody in her life (as she is beginning high school) really tried to see her. The art teacher and Pedrakis were my hero's too. The movie well-reflects her jjourney, finding courage in those friends, finding the ability to speak to her ex-face and finding her voice to say no.

A different author, Shannon Hale, has been speaking about about rape culture recently. I don't know what would happen to Andy, the rapist, but Melinda was relieved to have others believe and speak up themselves. With so many cases in the news, we need to speak about how justice should be served.

After watching a movie last night where most of the humor was hurtful, this was a necessary change, and a story many others should consider.