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anna12468
Reviews
Part of the Game (2004)
Gripping
I really liked this movie. It was a good story which, in my view, is the most important ingredient in a film. Couple that with the fact that the acting was excellent from the charismatic lead playing Robert to the drugged out sister, Janice, and her self-serving "boy friend" Drew. Marcus was great as were the actors playing both the parents. The psychiatrist seemed to lack people skills but played her awkwardness in dealing with Robert quite well. Dr. Calderecci was probably not used to dealing with someone who made their living wholesaling illegal substances given the office furnishings and upscale building where she practiced. I thought using her as the person Robert was revealing his life to, cutting back and forth to the scenes as he told the story, was quite effective.
This movie does not stress the criminal aspects of the drug scene. It deals more with the fact that everyone has a human side, showing even those involved in the drug business can have families not all of which are poor or dysfunctional or abusive. It shows kids getting involved in drugs can happen in middle class neighborhoods and that young people do drugs for all kinds of reasons, peer pressure and disappointment in life rating pretty high.
The writer/director has taken a story that could play out anywhere in North America in an ordinary middle class neighborhood and handled it in an entertaining, informative and moving way. I tried to force back tears at one point as did my friend. I also remember you could hear a pin drop in the theatre at the Whistler Film Festival where I saw it.
It must be difficult to write, cast and then direct your own film. However it seems Rick Alyea knew what he wanted and came out with a great movie. He appears to have a way of picking out the real issues in life, those that can rock you to your core.
I think anyone with teens could get something out of seeing this film. It's as much a film for parents as it is for young people.