Speak (2003)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jim H

  
  Structurally, this film requires a strong, central performance, and Stewart simply isn't good enough. There are moments when she is quite good, but often she is so understated that she is essentially dead -- I see nothing in her face or movements that betrays anything worth… More
  Structurally, this film requires a strong, central performance, and Stewart simply isn't good enough. There are moments when she is quite good, but often she is so understated that she is essentially dead -- I see nothing in her face or movements that betrays anything worth looking at. Dead people make bad film characters. Now, you could say that rape victims often report feeling numb, but playing numb requires more than Stewart is capable of providing (cf. Rose McGowan's rape scene in The Doom Generation). I did like that the film primarily portrayed high school as the command-and-control hell that it usually is.

• Nicki M

  
  This is not a bad little film. It's very slow moving - painfully so at times - but it's very well acted, particularly by Kristin Stewart in an earlier role. It deals with date rape, so is not exactly cheerful viewing, but it's an important topic and I liked how they… More
  This is not a bad little film. It's very slow moving - painfully so at times - but it's very well acted, particularly by Kristin Stewart in an earlier role. It deals with date rape, so is not exactly cheerful viewing, but it's an important topic and I liked how they handled it.

• Alice S

  
  Who says Lifetime doesn't have good programming? Kristen Stewart does quite well as Melinda: the pre-trauma smiles and laughter; the post-trauma silence and distance. However, I can't help being overcritical of her. All her good performances are good in the same way, you… More
  Who says Lifetime doesn't have good programming? Kristen Stewart does quite well as Melinda: the pre-trauma smiles and laughter; the post-trauma silence and distance. However, I can't help being overcritical of her. All her good performances are good in the same way, you know what I mean? Dead, unblinking eyes (except for that unfortunate period during which she blinked too much...), monotone voice, pretty girl with aura of mystery. She's certainly cast well, but I'm curious about her range.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  CAST: Kristen Stewart, Hallee Hirsh, Erio Lively, Elizabeth Perkins, Michael Angarano, Allison Siko, Steve Zahn, D.B. Sweeney DIRECTED BY: Jessica Sharzer SUMMARY: An unfortunate incident has left Melinda (Kristen Stewart) shunned by her friends and completely traumatized. Now,… More
  CAST: Kristen Stewart, Hallee Hirsh, Erio Lively, Elizabeth Perkins, Michael Angarano, Allison Siko, Steve Zahn, D.B. Sweeney DIRECTED BY: Jessica Sharzer SUMMARY: An unfortunate incident has left Melinda (Kristen Stewart) shunned by her friends and completely traumatized. Now, she enters the ninth grade a selective mute, isolating herself from everyone at school until a sympathetic teacher (Steve Zahn) encourages her to express herself -- and, ultimately, heal herself -- through art. MY THOUGHTS: Saw this movie for a third time today and thought I would give it a review since is one of my favorite movies. Fan of Kristen Stewarts, and this movie is what started it. I saw her in this film and thought she did amazing at playing not only such a difficult role, but playing it perfectly. This movie touches on some sensitive issues that go on, but never gets reported. It's unfortunate and I was glad to see a movie touch base with the issue. Kristen was really good at bringing the inner torment and anguish from this character. Liked Steve Zahn as the art teacher. He, not knowing was the one who was really helping Melinda in healing and coming to terms with what happened to her. It's a really emotional film to watch and to know these things happen, and are most of the time over looked, is sad. This movie gives a message of hope. Hope that some will see this movie and help them in some way. But the star of this film was definitely Kristen Stewart. She really brought it with this character. She said a lot without saying anything. So more than anything, see this movie for Kristen's raw, honest, and beautiful performance alone.

• Leigh R

  
  Hard subject but really well done.

• George R

  
  Many people can relate to this amazing movie, especially to the character Melinda (played by Kristen Stewart), I sure know I can. It is beautifully directed, & amazingly acted. WANING, THE FOLLOWING REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS Characters: Like I stated, the characters are… More
  Many people can relate to this amazing movie, especially to the character Melinda (played by Kristen Stewart), I sure know I can. It is beautifully directed, & amazingly acted. WANING, THE FOLLOWING REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS Characters: Like I stated, the characters are believable ones that almost anyone can relate to, whether its the good or bad one. Melinda is the kind of character I can relate to the most mainly because of how believable she really is. Plot/Story: It is again, realistic in terms of school life. A girl who was raped by a guy in a party & is traumatized by it, unable to speak & remain anti-social is an amazing way to make it work. Dialogue: It fits it perfectly, & it's not as cliche as other dramas. Plus, t being a narrative is lovely. Actors: While many will hate me for this, Kristen Stewart gave an amazing performance in here. She isn't a bad actress, & this is one of her best films. Everyone else, including Steve Zahn gave excellent performances. Final summation, this is a beautiful film, & is great for any traumatized or anti-social person.

• Mark A

  
  Excellent story about a young girl dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event. The young actress. Kristen Stewart played the full range of emotions, from debilitating despair to righteous anger and made the character completely believable. Her struggle is all the more… More
  Excellent story about a young girl dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic event. The young actress. Kristen Stewart played the full range of emotions, from debilitating despair to righteous anger and made the character completely believable. Her struggle is all the more heartbreaking because she faced it alone. Some of the teachers played a little stereotypically, but overall the film captured the angst of being a young teenager just trying to find a place to belong. All of this sadness was counter-balanced by just the right touch of humor, or this could have been depressingly sad. This one surprised as it could have been very easily made into something lurid or sleazy, or overly melodramatic. Instead, the producers have given us a very sensitive coming of age tale that will deeply affect the viewer.

• Leo L

  
  Phenomenal movie! Great story plot that follows a young woman whose experienced a traumatic experience and chooses to remain silent. Through the help of an art teacher, she begins to open up slowly and confesses what had happened to her. Great performance by Kristen Stewart. D. B.… More
  Phenomenal movie! Great story plot that follows a young woman whose experienced a traumatic experience and chooses to remain silent. Through the help of an art teacher, she begins to open up slowly and confesses what had happened to her. Great performance by Kristen Stewart. D. B. Sweeney, Elizabeth Perkins, Steve Zahn costarts. Great music. Definitely worthy.

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