A Dear Rocky - August Osange County

Dear Rocky,

Instead of reviewing films in the traditional manner, for the A-Z Challenge, I've decided to discuss a certain character or relationship. 

Although I saw August months ago, it's a film that has stayed with me.  More recently, I've spent more time thinking about the vulnerability of Abigail Breslin's character Jean, the daughter of Julia Roberts and Ewan McGregor.  Not bad going if those genes ever united in reality... but let's look at Jean's level of vulnerability.

Here is a 14 year old girl whose parents have separated and whose father is sleeping with one of his (much younger) students.  What messages may this send to a teenager about beauty and attraction, right smack bang in the middle of the most self-conscious period of her development?

Her mother is emotionally absent, a product of her environment, doing her best to hold it all together.  Wiser than Jean, she's completely powerless in the struggle to keep her child safe.

Jean has clearly learnt the art of self-medication as she smokes marijuana and drinks alcohol, which is what gets her into trouble (almost) with sleazy Steve.

This situation speaks volumes to the argument of instilling healthy amounts of self-esteem in our young people, from an early age.  Unfortunately, this is often not possible within the family home, although statistics show that parents only have to be 30% on a satisfactory scale to be good enough parents!  Not even half way.

Fortunately though, healthy relationships outside of the family home are just as effective at assisting a young person to develop a whole sense of self to take into adulthood. 

Let's hope Abigail Breslin has a very different experience to Jean.

I could go on and on about all the performances in this film, but instead, I'll just score it out of 10.  I give it a 7.5/10.

What are your thoughts?

Jodie

Read Rocky's review here!

I know this is not Abigail Breslin,but I just think Julia Roberts was stunning in this film.  I hope this is how she looks in real life and that she is truly ageing gracefully.