Based on the user reviews and the IMDb message board, most people are uncomfortable with the subject matter and it's portrayal. And they should be.
What the main character David Lamb does in this movie, and the way he does it is weird, unusual and uncommon. He is a 47 year old man who essentially kidnaps an 11 year old girl, takes her out of state, lives with her alone in a secluded camp --- with no intention of physical or sexual abuse.
He is a product of a bad family. His father is a "Son of a Bitch" (his boss's words). His father shows no interest when David asks him for advice. His mother walked out on the family. His brother was voluntarily homeless, living behind a gas station until he eventually disappeared.
David's wife is in the process of divorcing him. He has a beautiful girlfriend who loves him. But he places no value on her or their relationship because he never learned what a good relationship was.
He recognizes that Tommie (the eleven year old girl) needs attention because she is engaging in risky behavior and she comes from a family that doesn't care about her. And, she is hanging out with friends that don't care about her either.
So, he wants to nurture her and show her things she wouldn't otherwise see. But, he goes about it all wrong because he doesn't know what a healthy relationship consists of. So, as a result, he unintentionally emotionally and psychologically abuses her. And they both end up worse off for their time together.
The point of this movie --- intentionally or not --- is that "Good Family is Important". But many people may not recognize this. Because today's society is rife with bad families, broken families and no families. This may be "one" reason why there is so much sociopathic behavior --- immorality, unethical behavior, crime, inhumanity, emotional, psychological, mental disease, etc.
The point being, if he had come from a good family, his life would not have been such a mess and he wouldn't be looking to mentor an 11 year old street kid. And if he did, he would have done it in an appropriate manner. Not the way he ended up doing it.
And if she had come from a good family, she would not have been on the street engaging in risky behavior with kids that didn't care about her. She would have been involved in healthy activities with family and friends who did care about her. And none of this would have happened.
This is a movie for adults, not children. It is uncomfortable to watch. It is a tragedy. There is no violence, action or special effects. But there is nudity and sex. And plenty of unhealthy behavior. The acting and cinematography are good. But it is about unhappy and unhealthy people. And the story goes from bad to worse.
I agree with many viewers that this is a hard movie to rate. If you are a mature adult looking for an interesting depiction of an uncommon, unhealthy social situation, I might even give this movie a 10.
But if you are just a normal viewer looking for light, happy, positive entertainment, this is not the movie for you.
What the main character David Lamb does in this movie, and the way he does it is weird, unusual and uncommon. He is a 47 year old man who essentially kidnaps an 11 year old girl, takes her out of state, lives with her alone in a secluded camp --- with no intention of physical or sexual abuse.
He is a product of a bad family. His father is a "Son of a Bitch" (his boss's words). His father shows no interest when David asks him for advice. His mother walked out on the family. His brother was voluntarily homeless, living behind a gas station until he eventually disappeared.
David's wife is in the process of divorcing him. He has a beautiful girlfriend who loves him. But he places no value on her or their relationship because he never learned what a good relationship was.
He recognizes that Tommie (the eleven year old girl) needs attention because she is engaging in risky behavior and she comes from a family that doesn't care about her. And, she is hanging out with friends that don't care about her either.
So, he wants to nurture her and show her things she wouldn't otherwise see. But, he goes about it all wrong because he doesn't know what a healthy relationship consists of. So, as a result, he unintentionally emotionally and psychologically abuses her. And they both end up worse off for their time together.
The point of this movie --- intentionally or not --- is that "Good Family is Important". But many people may not recognize this. Because today's society is rife with bad families, broken families and no families. This may be "one" reason why there is so much sociopathic behavior --- immorality, unethical behavior, crime, inhumanity, emotional, psychological, mental disease, etc.
The point being, if he had come from a good family, his life would not have been such a mess and he wouldn't be looking to mentor an 11 year old street kid. And if he did, he would have done it in an appropriate manner. Not the way he ended up doing it.
And if she had come from a good family, she would not have been on the street engaging in risky behavior with kids that didn't care about her. She would have been involved in healthy activities with family and friends who did care about her. And none of this would have happened.
This is a movie for adults, not children. It is uncomfortable to watch. It is a tragedy. There is no violence, action or special effects. But there is nudity and sex. And plenty of unhealthy behavior. The acting and cinematography are good. But it is about unhappy and unhealthy people. And the story goes from bad to worse.
I agree with many viewers that this is a hard movie to rate. If you are a mature adult looking for an interesting depiction of an uncommon, unhealthy social situation, I might even give this movie a 10.
But if you are just a normal viewer looking for light, happy, positive entertainment, this is not the movie for you.