Speak (2004)

After a blurred trauma over the summer, Melinda enters high school a selective mute. Struggling with school, friends, and family, she tells the dark tale of her experiences, and why she has chosen not to speak.

Director:

Jessica Sharzer

Writers:

Laurie Halse Anderson (novel), Jessica Sharzer (screenplay),

Stars:

Kristen Stewart, Michael Angarano, Robert John Burke

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Kristen Stewart	...	Melinda Sordino
Michael Angarano	...	Dave Petrakis
Robert John Burke	...	Mr. Neck
Hallee Hirsh	...	Rachel Bruin
Eric Lively	...	Andy Evans
Leslie Lyles	...	Hairwoman
Elizabeth Perkins	...	Joyce Sordino
Allison Siko	...	Heather
D.B. Sweeney	...	Jack Sordino
Steve Zahn	...	Mr. Freeman
Dick Hagerman	...	School bus driver
Remy Brommer	...	Todd (as A. Remy Brommer)
Grace Ameter	...	Emily
Tyanna Rolley	...	Nicole
Kimberly Kish	...	Ms. Keen

Storyline

The young adolescent Melinda Sordino arrives at high school feeling confused, depressed and alone. Her school peers call her "squealer", because she alerted the police during a summer party after she was sexually assaulted by Andy Evans. She refuses to tell anyone the events that took place. Her depression and distance from people is made worse by the increasingly large gap between her and her parents. She finds great support with her art teacher Mr. Freeman and her school friend David Petrakis. Her feelings threaten to engulf her but Melinda learns to grow from her experiences instead of repressing the past emotions that have scarred her for the rest of her life.

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Plot Keywords:

high school | art | trauma | mute | teacher | 

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Taglines:

The Truth Will Change Everything.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material involving a teen rape

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Beszélj!

Filming Locations:

Columbus, Ohio, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Speak Film Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Laurie Halse Anderson:  the novel's author appears as the cafeteria worker spooning out mashed potatoes on the first day of school.

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Goofs

At the party, when Rachel slaps Melinda after learning that Melinda called the cops, Rachel's hair is straight. However, when Rachel gets into the car with her friends that are trying to escape, her hair is curly.

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Quotes

Mr. Neck: There is no kissing in the hallway!

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Connections

Referenced in Awkward.: Pilot (2011)

User Reviews

Heartbreaking Coming-to-age Story

The teenager Melinda Sordino (Kristen Stewart) joins the high-school with a great feeling of rejection and becomes practically mute. Her school mates and friends call her "squealer", because she called the police during a summer party; she does not have communication with her mother, Joyce Sordino (Elizabeth Perkins), who is workaholic and is permanently busy; and she has problem with a very radical teacher. She finds a great support with her arts teacher Mr. Freeman (Steve Zahn) and her school friend David Petrakis (Michael Angarano), and recalls her traumatic experience in the summer school, when she was raped, learning how to deal with the situation and reborn mature.

"Speak" is a very simple and linear story, and even in the trailer the predictable trauma of Melinda is disclosed; therefore there are no surprises, plot point or mystery to have a twist in the story. What makes "Speak" a little gem and so special are the realistic story, the excellent direction and the stunning performances, mainly of Kristen Stewart in the role of the traumatized Melinda, learning how to deal with her rape and later rejection by the mates by herself. Steve Zahn is also great in a mature role (I believe this is the first time I see him in this type of character) of a supportive school teacher. The nominations and award of the sensitive director Jessica Sharzer are very fair, but I believe Kristen Stewart deserved also a nomination for her brilliant and awesome performance. I would like to recommend this movie for parents of teenagers. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "O Silêncio de Melinda" ("The Silence of Melinda")