Speak (2004)

User Rating:

8.0/10   

Director:

Jessica Sharzer

Writers (WGA):

Laurie Halse Anderson (novel)
Jessica Sharzer (screenplay) ...
(more)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The Truth Will Change Everything.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | Mute | High School | Art | Art Teacher

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

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
Megan Pillar	...	Ivy
Jamie Lee White	...	Social Studies student
Courtney Hardebeck	...	Siobhan
Christina Hardebeck	...	Meg
Caker Folley	...	Randi (as Caitlyn Folley)
Susan Gardner	...	Guidance Counselor
Tony Roseboro	...	Principal
Arron Kinser	...	Senior Boy Adam (as Aaron Kinser)
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
John Brickner	...	High School Kid
Graham High School Dancin' Band From Falconland	...	Pep Band in Pep Rally Scene
Bekah Kiley	...	Flag Raiser
Tricia Aurand	...	High School Student (uncredited)
Matt Cahoon	...	High School Student (uncredited)
Tim Cruz	...	Asian Student (uncredited)
Annie Young Frisbie	...	Medical Student (uncredited)

Directed by
Jessica Sharzer

Writing credits (WGA)
Laurie Halse Anderson		(novel "Speak")
Jessica Sharzer		(screenplay) and
Annie Young Frisbie		(screenplay)

Produced by
Fred Berner	....	producer
Matthew Myers	....	producer
Matt Myers	....	producer
Jessica Sharzer	....	co-producer
Annie Young Frisbie	....	co-producer (as Annie Young Frisbie)

Original Music by
Christopher Libertino

Cinematography by
Andrij Parekh

Casting by
Mark Bennett
Billy Hopkins

Production Design by
Laura Ballinger

Art Direction by
Ethan Brooke

Costume Design by
Rebecca Bentjen

Makeup Department
Melissa Forney	....	hair department head
Bridget C. Henry	....	assistant makeup artist
Darylin Nagy	....	makeup department head
Janet Tallent-Dickson	....	key hair stylist

Production Management
Seth Adam Cohen	....	production supervisor
Rebecca Rivo	....	unit production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Meg Beatty	....	second second assistant director
Jeremy Haak	....	second second assistant director
Daniel J. Shaw	....	first assistant director
Katie Tull	....	second assistant director

Art Department
Maus Drechsler	....	lead on-set dresser
Pernilla Ekstrom Greenwood	....	assistant property master
Jeffrey Thompson	....	property master

Sound Department
David Ellinwood	....	sound editor
Boris Esposito	....	sound mixer
Marshall McGee	....	boom operator
Damian Volpe	....	supervising sound editor

Camera and Electrical Department
Tyler Andrews	....	electrician (as Tyler 'Tibor' Andrews)
Tim Cruz	....	grip
John Frisbie	....	electrician
Bob Izzo	....	key grip
Gary Jackiewicz	....	company grip
Arron Kinser	....	assistant camera
Kristopher Ross	....	grip
Frank Stubblefield	....	gaffer

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Kathy Karbowski	....	wardrobe supervisor

Other crew
Tara Andrus	....	production coordinator
Jason Block	....	post-production accountant
Lauren Brundage	....	assistant production coordinator
Noreen Compton	....	production assistant
Amy Durning	....	assistant to producer
Kayse Goodell	....	production assistant
Mike Grosky	....	location manager
Matthew Hamachek	....	production assistant
Suzanne Hodsden	....	office assistant
David Kneeream	....	production assistant
Derek Rimelspach	....	production assistant
Mark Oliver Rylance	....	location intern (as Mark Rylance)
Christina Schaich	....	production assistant
Jessica Beisler	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Speak Film Inc.

Distributors

• Showtime Networks (USA)

Other Companies

• Postworks New York  dailies

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:M | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Columbus, Ohio, USA

Company:

Speak Film Inc.

Trivia:

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

Goofs:

Continuity: 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.

Quotes:

[Dad walks in the kitchen and sees the Thanksgiving turkey in a pot on the stove]
Jack Sordino: You're boiling it?
Joyce Sordino: Too big to fit in the microwave!

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")