I almost stopped watching this movie because I didn't know how I'd feel about Taryn Manning in this type of roll. But what I came to find was the inability to turn it off for the sake of feeling like it was my feminine duty to watch this movie, listen to the story, and reflect on the very real foundations where this movie came from.
In the end Taryn Manning did a phenomenal job at being a strong victim. What truly broke my heart was her almost attempted suicide scene, but she couldn't do it because Joey would need her. For years Taryn's character Michelle fought with hope, helping and protecting the girls who came after. She was the pillar of this story and what really effected me was when Michelle seemed hopeless for the first time and Gina was the one who had to make some hope for them to survive.
Ariel Castro was depicted by Raymond Cruz, who I can't imagine had an easy time being in this role, the abuse given and absolutely disgusting behaviour he had to act out was sickening to watch but yet was filmed in a respectful and tasteful manner.
Movies of this nature have a very unfortunate possibility of re-traumatizing victims from watching it when directors take certain scenes to far without thinking about the ramifications, but this movie walked along the edge steady and safely.
In the end because this movie is based on a very true story I cannot remove a star I wanted to from the way religion was played in this movie. To me I could not and do not love a God that has the capacity to allow these events to happen, but alas this wasn't my story and for that I will leave this at 7 stars.
This isn't a movie I will ever rewatch but it was one I will never forget.
In the end Taryn Manning did a phenomenal job at being a strong victim. What truly broke my heart was her almost attempted suicide scene, but she couldn't do it because Joey would need her. For years Taryn's character Michelle fought with hope, helping and protecting the girls who came after. She was the pillar of this story and what really effected me was when Michelle seemed hopeless for the first time and Gina was the one who had to make some hope for them to survive.
Ariel Castro was depicted by Raymond Cruz, who I can't imagine had an easy time being in this role, the abuse given and absolutely disgusting behaviour he had to act out was sickening to watch but yet was filmed in a respectful and tasteful manner.
Movies of this nature have a very unfortunate possibility of re-traumatizing victims from watching it when directors take certain scenes to far without thinking about the ramifications, but this movie walked along the edge steady and safely.
In the end because this movie is based on a very true story I cannot remove a star I wanted to from the way religion was played in this movie. To me I could not and do not love a God that has the capacity to allow these events to happen, but alas this wasn't my story and for that I will leave this at 7 stars.
This isn't a movie I will ever rewatch but it was one I will never forget.