Speak - A Movie Review

You can’t make a difference unless you speak up. Never be silenced.

Speak is a 2004 film based on the novel written by Laurie Halse Anderson. After a traumatic incident, a young girl struggles to fit into high school. Alone and scared, Melinda loses her friendships and lets the past crumble her into a silent prison.

When I first read Speak in high school, I could not put it down. For anyone who is struggling, Speak is an important story about finding words. The film is a deep story taking audiences on the journey of a young girl trying to move on after a traumatic experience.

At just 13 years old, Kristen Stewart’s moving performance as Melinda Sordino is bold and enticing. Before making any judgments just because of an actor’s past in film, Stewart is a strong actress. I am so proud of her bravery. In a role that required her to act through expressive emotions, Stewart committed to the challenge. For anyone who is struggling, Melinda’s poetic narration examines that nobody is ever alone.

The ensemble of Speak has an essential job. Nobody knows what anybody is going through. Because only the audience knows what happened to Melinda, select characters have a very different opinion about Melinda’s behavior. I felt that the ensemble delivered strong performances.

Elizabeth Perkins, D.B Sweeney, Steve Zahn, Allison Siko, Michael Angarano, Robert John Burke, Grace Ammeter, Tyanna Rolley, Leslie Lyes, Hallee Hirsh, Kimberly Kish, and Eric Lively were all magnificence studying their characters to bring out a sincere portrayal to a serious subject matter.

My most favorite performance was Steve Zahn as Melinda’s eccentric art teacher, Mr. Freeman. Zahn has a unique acting style. I have only seen him in a couple of different films, where he showcased his comedic side. He was fantastic in Speak displaying heartwarming drama and comedy.

Art is one of my favorite subjects. It’s a way of expressing ourselves. Drawing is one of my favorite hobbies and it has been a great form of expression. Mr. Freeman teaches his students to have a voice, subconsciously helping Melinda grow. As represented in the film, art is a great way to express emotions, communicating feelings, and speaking out.

We all have that one teacher from our journey in education who we cherished, making you look at the world differently. However, Speak provides a message about the teachers who you were not fond of. We’ll have teachers who we didn’t like or get along with, but in the end, they leave an impact on us, too.

In only a months’ time of filming, I am impressed with the final product. Filming wasn’t easy. Flooding ensued from a horrible rainstorm which was actually caught on camera for one pivotal scene.

One element that really stood out to me was the camera angles. Close-ups immediately sold how characters were feeling, but the wide camera angles captured a different meaning. In one crucial scene that took place on a bridge, words and emotions bounced off the screen.

Jessica Sharzer grasped the meaning of this deep and profound story. She worked very well with the cast through the minimal time they had together. Stories like these are tough to evoke because of the subject matter, but we cannot be lost to silence. Sharzer made a film for audiences to find a voice or a way to express.

Speak is an underrated film. I am proud of all the actors for participating, Kristen Stewart, especially for her tremendously thought-provoking performance. It’s hard to watch at times, but it is an important film. I recommend that you find it and watch it.