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Kristen Stewart, Eric Lively, Elizabeth Perkins, D.B. Sweeney, Steve Zahn ... see more see more... , Robert John Burke , Leslie Lyles , Hallee Hirsh , Michael Angarano , Allison Siko

Award-winning short filmmaker Jessica Sharzer makes her feature debut with the teen drama Speak, based on the young-adult novel by Laurie Halse Anderson. Kristen Stewart stars as high school freshman ... read more read more...Melinda, who has lost her ability to speak. Ever since a traumatic event that occurred at a party over the summer, she has chosen to remain silent. She's abandoned by her friends, while her mother Joyce (Elizabeth Perkins) is too wrapped up in her own problems to notice. By recalling the details of the past situation, it becomes clear that a date rape occurred. Yet no one has offered her support in order to deal with the psychological consequences. Eventually her art teacher Mr. Freeman (Steve Zahn) reaches out, helping her develop ways to express herself. Also starring Hallee Hirsh and Eric Lively. Speak premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 as part of the American Spectrum competition. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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81% liked it

3,442 ratings

PG-13, 1 hr. 32 min.

Directed by: Jessica Sharzer

Release Date: January 20, 2004

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DVD Release Date: September 27, 2005

Stats: 397 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (397)

  • hunterjt13
    August 13, 2010
    hunterjt13
    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 look... read moreing 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.
  • romy861
    July 25, 2010
    romy861
    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.
  • aliceinpunderland
    June 19, 2010
    aliceinpunderland
    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... read more 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.
  • LWOODS04
    May 18, 2010
    LWOODS04
    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. ... read moreNow, 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.
  • dreamfaeries
    August 13, 2009
    dreamfaeries
    Hard subject but really well done.
  • jorgeroman1
    March 3, 2011
    jorgeroman1
    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 ar... read moree 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.
  • fb1144932598
    June 22, 2009
    fb1144932598
    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 heartb... read morereaking 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.
  • ileo
    December 7, 2008
    ileo
    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... read more. Sweeney, Elizabeth Perkins, Steve Zahn costarts. Great music. Definitely worthy.
  • Hamee
    March 4, 2012
    Hamee
    A great movie. Too bad Stewart's talents are being wasted on the Twilight nonsense. In this movie we see her portraying a young girl with a deep secret that she doesn't reveal even though it would make her friends stop hating her. It had a good and very realistic ending.
  • mariesays
    November 27, 2011
    mariesays
    when people review this and call it "painfully slow", or comment on how kristen stewart seems "essentially dead", they clearly don't understand that you 're supposed to be sharing in her perspective. i found this film to be entirely relatable, and perfect in the way it portrays ... read morehuman nature. nicely done.

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Critic Reviews

Oz
March 3, 2004
Oz, eFilmCritic.com

From start to finish, lead to co-stars, director to writers, this is a film experience that reminds you that it doesn't matter how many stars are around, or how much is spent. Full Review

Dennis Harvey
April 30, 2009
Dennis Harvey, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Christopher Null
January 20, 2004
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

Click to read the article Full Review

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    • Melinda Sordino: The school board is making us change our team name from Trojans. They think it doesn't send a strong abstinence message.
    • Melinda Sordino: Everyone deserves a second chance. I mean... isn't that what Jesus said?
    • Melinda Sordino: It happened. There's no avoiding it. No forgetting.
    • Melinda Sordino: My English teacher has no face. I call her Hairwoman.
    • Melinda Sordino: It's time for a mental health day. So conjugate this: I cut class. You cut class. He/she/it cuts class.
    • Mr. Freeman: I'm a rebel.
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  • Which Disney animated feature film that has a title character who doesn't speak?  Answer »
  • Which is the only movie to have a title character that doesn't speak?  Answer »
  • In "Lemony Snicket's A Series Of Unfortunate Events", what does Count Olaf say to Sunny when she looks up at him and makes baby noises?  Answer »
  • In which disney movie is the only one where the main character doesn't speak?   Answer »
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