"Baby Girl" (aka, "The Hurt") was a deeply pessimistic appraisal of "coming of age" for the protagonist, whose life was defined by family dysfunction, perversion, and violence.
The "baby girl" of the title is young Cody, who appears completely lost as she strikes up a relationship with a young woman identifying herself as "Diablo." This connection led Cody into a world of pornography, drugs, and violence.
Cody's mother Jennifer seems equally disturbed as she is trying to cope with the death of her husband, Mason. His death has led Cody into her spiral of despair, and Jennifer is helpless in attempting to comfort her daughter. The character of Willis, the erstwhile boyfriend of Cody, was also problematic. There was never anything like affection shown to Willis by Cody, and it was unclear why Willis would continue to associate with her.
A shortcoming of the film was in the interrogation scenes of the police detective questioning Cody. It was never clear what Cody was accused of or even what the detective was investigating. Was it the death of Diablo? Was it Diablo's criminal activities? Was it the death of Cody's father Mason? Why was the detective so intimidating in his questioning of "Cody Bear"?
The filmmakers tried to wrap up the loose ends with another flashback scene at the end. Unfortunately, the film was utterly depressing and even cringeworthy in places. The actors tried to rise above the material, but, by the end, the future still seems bleak for young Cody.
The "baby girl" of the title is young Cody, who appears completely lost as she strikes up a relationship with a young woman identifying herself as "Diablo." This connection led Cody into a world of pornography, drugs, and violence.
Cody's mother Jennifer seems equally disturbed as she is trying to cope with the death of her husband, Mason. His death has led Cody into her spiral of despair, and Jennifer is helpless in attempting to comfort her daughter. The character of Willis, the erstwhile boyfriend of Cody, was also problematic. There was never anything like affection shown to Willis by Cody, and it was unclear why Willis would continue to associate with her.
A shortcoming of the film was in the interrogation scenes of the police detective questioning Cody. It was never clear what Cody was accused of or even what the detective was investigating. Was it the death of Diablo? Was it Diablo's criminal activities? Was it the death of Cody's father Mason? Why was the detective so intimidating in his questioning of "Cody Bear"?
The filmmakers tried to wrap up the loose ends with another flashback scene at the end. Unfortunately, the film was utterly depressing and even cringeworthy in places. The actors tried to rise above the material, but, by the end, the future still seems bleak for young Cody.