SPEAK American Directions

Few films capture the pitfalls of youth and the yearning for communication as simply and effectively as Jessica Sharzer’s heartfelt and beautifully crafted SPEAK.

SPEAK is the story of Melinda, a smart, spirited high school freshman who has been silenced by an unspeakable event. The bright part of her day is art class, taught by the anti-authoritarian, expressive Mr. Freeman (Steve Zahn). As a refuge from the primal pep rallies, Melinda creates a safe haven in an abandoned storage closet to express herself. Based on the award-winning novel by Laurie Halse Anderson, SPEAK captures the absurdities and torments of high school, where speaking up can lead to trouble for students and teachers alike. But, for the film’s protagonist, speaking up is the only way to confront a shattering experience.

Impressive and potent, SPEAK takes on big issues, while managing to avoid Hollywood sentimental melodrama. Allowing the performances to simmer and marinate on the screen, Sharzer sets up an authentically satisfying denouement.