Confessions of an American Girl (2002)

48% of users liked it
(2,699 ratings)

Despite living in what she considers to be a less than perfect environment to raise the perfect family, pregnant teen Rena Grubb (Jena Malone) vows to escape the squalid trailer park that she calls home with a little help from the father she barely knows. If her living situation wasn't bad enough,… More Despite living in what she considers to be a less than perfect environment to raise the perfect family, pregnant teen Rena Grubb (Jena Malone) vows to escape the squalid trailer park that she calls home with a little help from the father she barely knows. If her living situation wasn't bad enough, Rena's frustration is compounded when she is rejected by her selfish boyfriend (Erik Von Detten) and forced to fend for herelf as she prepares to give birth to her child. As Rena sees it, the only chance her child has for happiness is the love of a stable family, so she convinces her mother (Michelle Forbes) to drive her family to the annual prison picnic in hopes that she can hold her family together for a bright future. Surrounded by barbed wires and high fences, Rena slowly begins to understand both her father's plight and the important role she can play in giving her child everything that she never had in life. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Jordan Brady
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 31, 2004 Wide
On DVD: Jan 11, 2005
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...the characters are obnoxious, the directorial style is bland, and the pacing is off (way off).
James Plath, Movie Metropolis
This dark comedy explores the Jerry Springer side of American life with surprising sympathy, and a plot that surprises.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
insights into any of the topics Brady wants to explore are decidedly absent

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Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

CAST: Jena Malone, Brad Renfro, Alicia Witt, Michelle Forbes, Chris Mulkey, Clifton Collins Jr., Erik von Detten DIRECTED BY: Jordan Brady SUMMARY: All Rena Grubb (Jena Malone) wants is the ideal family, but the deck is stacked against her, considering that her father (Chris… More
CAST: Jena Malone, Brad Renfro, Alicia Witt, Michelle Forbes, Chris Mulkey, Clifton Collins Jr., Erik von Detten DIRECTED BY: Jordan Brady SUMMARY: All Rena Grubb (Jena Malone) wants is the ideal family, but the deck is stacked against her, considering that her father (Chris Mulkey) has just been sent to prison. Still, she's determined to give it a shot, persuading her mom (Michelle Forbes) to haul the entire clan to jail so everyone can be together for the annual picnic -- which Rena hopes will lead to healthier and happier family dynamics. But first she must tell everyone she's pregnant. MY THOUGHTS: "Rena is young, hopeful, and yet quite suicidal. She's also very naive when it comes to the memories of her father. Jena Malone was great as always. I love the characters she chooses to play.. They're never normal or clean cut. I like the weirdness in her character choices. Gives them more depth. Brad Renfro was one of the reasons for choosing to watch this film besides Jena, and I thought he was great in this film just like all the others he has done. Sad he's no longer around to do more great films. Alicia Witt was comical and quirky. I liked her in this film. It was a bit of a crazy movie and sad underneath the surface. The characters are kinda hard to like in this film, but the acting is good."
Nani V

Crazy! But, I liked it very much. Once again, wonderful job by the talented Miss Jena Malone. Love her!
Sunil J

A very simple movie about a girl and her family visiting her father in prison for the yearly picnic.
Leo L

An interesting movie! Great cast!