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I just saw "Thirteen" and liked it a lot. It was also very disturbing. Above and beyond the fact that it was co-written by a 13-year-old girl (which in istself is disturbing to any screenwriter over, say, 25 or maybe even 19--but that's another story) the interesting thing about the film was it's lack of sentiment.
It was hardhitting. It was unrelenting. It pulled no punches. There was an amazingly satisfying ending.
Moreover, it was definitely NOT commercial. I don't think they wrote the film or got financing because anyone involved thought it would be a moneymaker.
I don't know how much it cost, but I'd bet it was at least a couple million. According to this week's Daily Variety it's grossed $4 million. I'd say there will be profits here. But when a script gets sold and then made, there's no telling as to how it will do.
This isn't a review of the film. Suffice it to say that I liked it. This is about the guts it took to write an uncommercial screenplay. Most of us, myself included, don't waste our time on the idea that doesn't have the cool one sentence pitch. And I'm not encouraging anyone to start rethinking your commercial or high concept ideas and start thinking edgie indie stuff.
But, if you have something that's gritty and close to home (in case you haven't read any of the stories, Nicky Reed, the author and co-star based the story on her own life), maybe it's worth taking a shot. |
