'Thirteen' is eye-opening cautionary tale

By Jack Garner
Gannett News Service

THIRTEEN (Rated R) Three-and-a-Half Stars (Good-to-Excellent) A cautionary tale about a young girl caught in a dangerous downward spiral, triggered by her splintered family, intense peer pressure and the hunger for affection. Holly Hunter, Evan Rachel Wood and co-writer Nikki Reed star for director and co-writer Catherine Hardwicke. Fox Searchlight, 95 minutes.

In case you're tempted to offer that advice in exasperation at your 13-year-old daughter, check out the new drama "Thirteen." You'll be quick to add: "But not so fast."

"Thirteen" is a cautionary tale about a young girl caught in a dangerous downward spiral, triggered by her splintered family, intense peer pressure and a hunger for affection.

The film is set amid California's San Fernando Valley, the shops along L.A.'s Melrose Avenue, anarchical classrooms, tattoo and piercing parlors, and the unsupervised bedrooms and party houses of the neighborhood.

Tracy is a bright young girl who goes from playing with Barbies to playing with fire in the blink of an eye, especially after she comes under the influence of manipulative fellow student named Evie. Tracy covets the aura around Evie, whom she sees as the sexiest, most fashion-conscious and hippest girl in her class, the head of a small-but-powerful clique that lords over the middle school set. And when Evie notices Tracy, the naive girl literally dances for joy. It'll be the last joy she'll know for a while, though, because Evie is a 13-year-old going on 18 and quickly leads Tracy wholeheartedly into a world of drugs, sex, shoplifting and other fast-lane activities.

The resulting film is sometimes painful, but always intriguing. It's the sort of film that makes parents very nervous — and hopeful that the movie's tough-love message will get through to their own adolescents.

"Thirteen" strikes raw nerves because it seems so honest. And for good reason. It results from a screenplay co-written by a 13-year-old girl who lived through much of what's depicted in the film.

Director Catherine Hardwicke met the prepubescent Nikki Reed when she began dating the young girl's father. After the couple broke up, Hardwicke remained friends with Reed, but became increasingly concerned about her increasing anger and secretiveness. Hardwicke became a mentor of sorts to the young girl and encouraged her interest in the arts.

Eventually, the two wrote a screenplay based on Reed's disturbing experiences. It became "Thirteen." And although Tracy is based on Reed, Hardwicke thought it would be better for Reed to play the other girl in the saga, the more experienced temptress, Evie.

Indeed, the young actress perfectly captures Evie's worldliness and conniving deceptions. Evan Rachel Wood is also fine as the more innocent Tracy. Her sensitive performance allows us to see how Tracy's erratic behavior and bad choices are all a classic call for help and a plea for affection.

Oscar-winner Holly Hunter gives "Thirteen" credence and anchors the independent film with her sensitive portrayal as Tracy's mother, a decent woman who becomes unhinged with her daughter's sudden defection.

Rated R, with strong profanity, drug use, self-mutilation, implied sex.