Review of White Bird in a Blizzard (2014) by Leo K — 09 Nov 2014

Director Gregg Araki creates films that guarantee a punch in the gut. Whiet Bird in a Blizzard, adapted from the novel by Laura Kasischke, is no exception. It hits hard over the head with heart, humor and everything in between. An alternate title could have been that of Araki's 1993 feature Totally Fucked Up, which encapsulates his MO perfectly.

It's an absolute joy to see Shailene Woodley transition from the romance of The Fault In Our Stars and the superheroics of Divergent to play Kat, a messed up 17-year-old that is coming into her own in every way, including sexually, despite the disappearance of her mentally ill mother (Eva Green). With all that, Kat is ready to get it on, either with a hot jerk (Shiloh Fernandez) or an older cop (Thomas Jane). It's a fool's errand to try and deconstruct and figure out an Araki film. All you need know is that Woodley is outstanding. Resistance is futile.