Review of Thirteen (2003) by Beau P — 26 Oct 2009

It is easy to detect a Catherine Hardwicke film. Given all of her works seem to stem from that same sense of freedom, and given her qualifications in architecture, amazing subtle on-screen visualisations hinting character development. Thirteen concludes without any judgements made about the characters, which successfully allows the audience to make up their own minds on the subject matter. Its subjective take on the film lets the audience do the character judging as each scene reveals itself all the way to the end. What stuck out to me most was the different opinions the public had from one another about the characters. That proves my theory on this film.

Tracy, incredibly acted by Evan Rachel Wood is a straight A student who suddenly falls of the wagon when she be-friends the most popular girl in school Eviee (Nikki Reed). We then witness Tracys transformation grow from good girl to bad girl very convincingly and effectively. One of the clever techniques used in this film is when we see Tracy being a victim of 'youth marketing' on a bus ride to Melrose Ave where she is plastered with billboards, posters and shops glamourising outer beauty which has a big influence on her development as a character. This sencondary source cleverly justifies her change as a way of questioning the effects advertising has on youth. Holly Hunter cannot go unmentioned as Tracy's Mother who does an outstanding job. Thirteen succeeds for me in every way possible and proves to be a well-thought out intelligent film if you look for the under-lining meanings.