The star of the movie is Vanessa Hudgens who is hardly recognizable as teen Agnes 'Apple' Bailey, living in New York with an often drugged up, abusive mother. Apple suspects she is pregnant, is fed up with her situation, and heads out for New Jersey to find the dad she never met.
But she plays a fictional character, perhaps a composite of sorts from the many pregnant teens that have been sheltered over the years by Kathy Difiore. Part of the reason for making this movie is to raise the awareness, and perhaps some additional funding, for her shelters. Kathy is very well portrayed by Ann Dowd.
The abusive mother is played very authentically by Rosario Dawson as June Bailey, seemingly wanting her daughter to stay with her mainly for the additional government support she gets. Brendan Fraser is Tom Fitzpatrick, Apple's father who had been rejected by June, but who had gone on to get an education and now was a wealthy Wall Street professional, married with two smaller children. Fraser is good as the father who eventually does what he can to help Apple towards a better life.
James Earl Jones is good as the priest Frank McCarthy who helps Apple gain some understanding of her situation and perhaps a path towards a better life.
Much of the story is very emotional and hard to watch, because these things do happen. But overall it is a very worthwhile movie. Hudgens is superb.
But she plays a fictional character, perhaps a composite of sorts from the many pregnant teens that have been sheltered over the years by Kathy Difiore. Part of the reason for making this movie is to raise the awareness, and perhaps some additional funding, for her shelters. Kathy is very well portrayed by Ann Dowd.
The abusive mother is played very authentically by Rosario Dawson as June Bailey, seemingly wanting her daughter to stay with her mainly for the additional government support she gets. Brendan Fraser is Tom Fitzpatrick, Apple's father who had been rejected by June, but who had gone on to get an education and now was a wealthy Wall Street professional, married with two smaller children. Fraser is good as the father who eventually does what he can to help Apple towards a better life.
James Earl Jones is good as the priest Frank McCarthy who helps Apple gain some understanding of her situation and perhaps a path towards a better life.
Much of the story is very emotional and hard to watch, because these things do happen. But overall it is a very worthwhile movie. Hudgens is superb.