AndyMic

(2013-05-21 18:22:37)

Great acting in this (often badly reviewed?) touching movie

I just watched Hick tonight and figured that I would write a review.This unsweet little story is about a 13 year old girl who does not havethe best of situations at home, hence she decides to run away. And theaudience is given what every anxious parent suspect will happen whensuch a thing occurred, she meets with some bad people, learns aboutlife etc etc.Eddie Redmayne is somewhere between superb and flawless in his acting,he manages to pull this thing off - where he makes one feel angry withhim, as well as pity for him - at the same time. Blake Lively is reallygood, as always - if you like Lively then see this. But the strongestperformance I must say is in my opinion Chloë Moretz. The way sheportrays her 13 year old character is almost hard to grasp. I don'twant to spoil so I will not say too much on it except that there arecertain things in ways of humans interacting which she pulls off justperfect.Anyways, Chloë Moretz is 14 years old in this film, and guess what -she Is beautiful, and yes she wears short skirts and shows her belly,and she/her character is very aware of this, which I loved.(For those of you who do not understand, she is probably dressed thisway to show a persona, to show vulnerability etc.)It's a heart wrenching movie that made me cry, and I don't usually cry.It has a message so encouraging and true that you have to be blinded bywrong founded morals not to like it. I recommend it to anyone,especially those out there who are a bit uncertain in life, of those ofyou who are stuck somewhere somehow. SEE IT 7/10

Shahroze Khan

(2013-05-21 10:26:52)

Chloe saves the day.

I was drawn to this film mainly because of the interesting synopsisadded on IMDb. However, appearances can be deceptive. In this case, itdefinitely is. A very common subject of a youth who feels detached andtakes an unwanted action to overcome detachment. 'Hick' is a meaningfulstory that was successfully damaged by poor screenplay and unusualdirection. However Chloe has delivered a brilliant performance andsomehow make you sit through it even if you are fast forwarding it. Astory of a young, troubled girl(Chloe) who is gifted a pistol on herbirthday. She isn't taken care of by her parents and left back at homewithout any prior notice which makes her feel unwanted. She thendecides to hop onto a trip to Vegas during which she encounters a youngcowboy (Eddie) who agrees to give her a ride to Vegas and has a heroicexplanation for his limping and some how convinces the girl of hisachievement. Their is a sudden argument between the two (poorscreenplay) and the girl is shown her way out of the car. Next sheencounters a morally low female (Blake) who gives her a ride too duringwhich she introduces her to everything from drugs to shop lifting. Theyhalt at a motel for the night where Chloe encounters Eddie again. Blakethen rides Chloe to her house where Blake's first and Chloe's thirdencounter with Eddie is on the cards. Eddie happens to be well familiarwith Blake(poor screenplay) for some reason that our director didn'tfeel important enough to establish and works as a bar tender cumslave(appears to be) to Blake's husband who by the way needs to enrollhimself for a proper acting workshop. Eddie has his way of dealing withhis boss's temper, one of which is urinating into boss's drink beforeoffering him. Eddie takes Chloe to pool Where she is molested by astranger in spite of his presence (poor screenplay). Our cowboyrealizes the harassment and gives the stranger a thrashing of his lifewhich includes slamming the door repeatedly for about ten times on hishead and smashing a whole freaking sink on the head. In a parallelworld it'd be titled as beating down to a pulp. Eddie now drives her toa hotel where a Chloe refuses any sort of intimacy and hence is shownthe door out. Chloe utilizes this offer and is seen playing cards witha random character (poor screenplay). Unhappy with this, Eddie strikesback and roughs up the situation and chases Chloe into the forest, getshold of her and ties her up to the bed back in the hotel. Blake arrivesout of no where (poor screenplay) and untie Chloe in an attempt torescue her. However Eddie walks into the room and gets his hand on thepistol gifted to Chloe on her birthday and while confrontation, shootsBlake in response to which, Chloe shoots Ed. No happily ever after. Overall, 'Hick' lacks establishment of required genre in almost everysequence. A suspense sequence is not established enough to look like asuspense neither is a thriller nor the romance. If it wasn't forChloe's powerful performance, I wouldn't rate this anything more than aone.

Zacio Geribello

(2013-05-15 18:55:58)

A tough growing up for a girl in a story to be

I saw it as a movie that works with a young girl's expectations andanxiety, while she grows fast in a very complicated environment,passing through tough situations. She's in the middle of building a newidentity, because of her age, after her family brakes up and abandonsher in the middle of nowhere. She is in a completely fragile andvulnerable position, but her mind, heart and soul are trying to find away for her life, for her personality and for her values. She bringsmemories and integrity from childhood that now have to face a grown upworld, without any help. It's a movie about a story to be, that can'tfind a solution until it ends.Characters and plot are searching, they are all in the road and thisconstant reference to the road makes the extreme beauty of this movie.Hick, or Luli, the girl is not just the main character but she is alsothe personification of this story to be, girl to be, to find her ownanswers and life while passing through all the changes of her age andwithout any base but two very problematic older friends she met. Thereis a total identity between the girl and the space she lives in an istrying to get out of. The light, the desert sceneries, they make Luligreat, strong, and that's why she keeps going on. Because, after all,that's her world and her life, and we see all the action as if thosewere her own mind working, searching for answers and for a way out ofthe trouble.She is completely alone and lost, but she wants to experience this newlife, she desires this new world, so it's not only a drama, it's alsoan adventure. She loves the ones that cannot love her back the way sheneeds the most, neither the way she wants, but they love her two, whilelost in their own worlds. They couldn't find anything better, while shejust doesn't give up, and that is a conflict with bad consequences, asthe sexual molest. Luli is growing up in a extreme situation and she isdetermined to patiently pass through everything she'll have to gothrough, to get over it.The most simple things of life are not allowed here, there is no accessto it. In a situation like that, what would anyone do? That's what thismovie is about. Hick represents a distance from the possible world andfrom the real world. It's a situation her people are indeed strugglingso desperately every day to keep their lives. But, somehow, in theedges of this forgotten world it's effectively reality who keeps themprisoners, so this story asks for reflection too.It's not exactly an imaginary story, elements are very real and we canfeel their impact in social differences or in the power relationbetween men and women, and in the uneven risks a young girl has to taketo go on with her life. We can find all this elements in our dailylives. Luli feels deep love and friendship and learns its forms in thisvery disturbing world. She can't just say no and go back to anythingbefore that. She has this chance repeatedly but she knows she has tomove forward, no matter what, it's her only way out.Chloë Grace Moretz, Eddie Redmayne and Blake Lively hold the story withan intense acting, strong rhythm and gradual tension, until theoutcomes. I also liked very much the direction of Derick Martini andthe approach of the story. It's not inappropriate at all, if we thinkthat sexuality gains more and more importance every day in our times,in this culture where precocity and desire are so stimulated, and wehave Internet. There's got to be a permanent discussion about it. Chloëis a very mature girl for her age, that can be seen in the movie, as anactress she entirely dominates her role and gives it strong traces andemotions. One more great job for her brilliant career. Eddie Redmayneand Blake Lively worked with her in perfect connection and that allowedthis movie to be so expressive in a very single story.

Jtbone3141

(2013-05-15 06:42:13)

Poor script elevated by powerful performances.

I would probably give this about a 5.5, but since that's not available,I'll be nice and say 6. Chloe Moretz is what primarily drove me to seethis film at first, especially since I wasn't too familiar with orcared for any of the actors who were to be in it. I might be a bitbiased because prior to my viewing, all I'd heard was how AWFUL thisfilm was. But I said screw it, it's Chloe Moretz. I've been on a Chloebinge lately and thought I'd help satisfy it by catching this. A monthbefore its May 11th release, I read the book and was legitimatelyimpressed. The book truly captivates the reader, by giving you asincere sense of what goes on in Luli's mind, given her experienceswith a troubled family and redneck life. Having truly enjoyed the book,I was able to ignore the horrid reviews I'd read and decided I'd go forit anyway.I'll say this: if it weren't for Chloe Moretz and Eddie Redmayne, thisfilm would truly have been a flop. The script is a bit similar to thebook, as pertaining to the volatility of the plot and randomintroduction of significant characters. But the script fails by givingmost of these spontaneously interjected characters ridiculously shortscreen time (Blake Lively only had about MAYBE 15-20 min. tops?).Characters that had given reasonably substantial meaning to Luli'sdepicted life on the road, such as Clement, Beau, even Lloyd, had nomore than 2-3 minutes screen time apiece, and many of them were givenalmost no depth whatsoever.Chloe did a fantastic job of acting, as usual. Her portrayal of acharming, street-smart yet semi-innocent teenage girl is visually andemotionally gripping. Her camera action and dialogue alike are theculmination of what only the most talented, versatile young actress inHollywood can produce. Blake Lively did a reasonably decent job, andactually showed a surprising amount of character depth. But it is Mr.Redmayne who steals the show.Having never seen a film with Eddie Redmayne before, I can't say that Ihad really known what to expect from him. I had read from many sourcesthat he had done a fabulous job in this film, with one such reviewereven claiming he deserved an Oscar nod. Having read the book and beenwell-acquainted with what to expect from the man playing Eddie Kreezer,the acquaintance-turned-murderer-turned-kidnapper, I was thoroughly andlegitimately impressed with his depth. Eddie Redmayne brought a perfectcombination of charm and emotional versatility, with the underlyingdegree of insanity which would turn extreme in the final act of thefilm. Redmayne's western accent was phenomenal, given his Englishcitizenship, and his charming cowboy persona was spot-on. His mood inscenes would vary from condescending to charming to menacing and so on.I can honestly say that Eddie Redmayne literally made the show for me.The film as a whole will probably not be up for any (significant)awards, especially given its indie status and almost obsoletepromotion. I can't recommend that the average moviegoer check out thisfilm, maybe not even the average Chloe Moretz fan. But if you're up fora road film centered on a young girl who learns to literally pullherself up by her bootstraps and survive countless things, fromabandonment to rape to kidnapping and so on, it could be worth yourtime.

leonlouisricci

(2013-05-09 20:21:22)

Delicate Indie Masterpiece

Contrary to popular critical dismissal and scathing comments aboutpedophilia and such, this Movie is so delicate in its portrayal of aRed Riding Hood/Dorothy adolescent's brutal coming of age story that itdefies explanation as to the outrage.In a time when just about anything goes in Films and on TV about suchessential and disturbing themes that were all but ignored in HollywoodHistory, or at least vaguely alluded, this 21st Century take isheartfelt, touching, and without exploitation. In fact, most of it isas understated as possible without obligatory Rape and Violence clichésthat make one wince and angry.All the Actors here are memorable and give outstanding performances andthe Director and Screenwriter (adapting from Her Novel) give us anindependent Gem that will likely buck the negative buzz and become aCult Movie. This is an understated and underrated Masterpiece of subtleand substantial Storytelling and Movie making.

Douglas Brodoff

(2013-05-09 04:16:11)

Hick is a brilliant future classic

Terrific on so many levels. Performances are all top-notch. Leads aswell as cameos. Beautiful storytelling mixing humor and anxious fearand suspense. Neither candy-coated or painted black this tale of ayoung girl learning about the world is a certified future classic. Weare right with Luli as she struggles to discern between the good andbad in people, And we are as unsure of Eddie and others that sheencounters, as she is. People betray each other and themselves. Andsome are better than we might have thought. Derek Martini makes a hugejump with this film, where the land itself speaks and a field of cropscan make your skin crawl.

cnycitylady

(2013-05-03 21:25:02)

A tough tale for girls

Hick is a kind of "Coming of Age" story for teen-aged girls. This movieshows just how cruel and kind the world can be. Luli grows tired of herneglectful mother and sets out on an adventure that teaches her this.On the road she comes across a very handsome and charming (and yummy)young man whom she hitch-hikes with before seeing the dangerous side ofhim. Through a myriad of events she keeps bumping into him and thissets the story off.Chloe Grace Moretz plays the lead and never have you seen a teen-agedgirl so tantalizing. She embodies the independence, sensual desire andtotal naivety of the typical teenage girl who longs to be grown (in avery "Lolita" way.) You know that this character is headed for troublewhen you see that she doesn't care about the repercussions of heractions/choices. Eddie Redmayne plays the somewhat dangerous cowboy whopicks her up and boy does he play it well. You get from the verybeginning that he is not to be trusted but you can't help yourself. Hischarming smile and outwardly sweet and honest nature pulls you in onhis side before he flips the switch. Blake Lively gives her usualperformance, not really branching out of her comfort zone, you almostfeel as if she was type casted. The character that she played wasplayed well but their was no surprise to her.The story is a true "Hick" tale as it were. And their is nothing trulyamazing about it, but it still merits a viewing, possibly multiple onesbecause the characters are fairly interesting (if not superficiallyinteresting) and the actors are as entertaining as they usually are.The storyline is straightforward but with a few shocks and overall is apretty good film.

billcr12

(2013-05-03 01:04:04)

Chloe Grace Moretz wasted talent

Chloe Grace Moretz is Luli, a thirteen year old girl who is at a barwith her mother for her birthday. One of the presents is a real livegun. The drunken patrons seem amused and we are quickly aware of anatmosphere filled with trailer trash. The next morning, Luli hears a noise downstairs and sees a strangersitting at the kitchen table. She points the useful pistol gift at theguy who explains that the door was open, so he just let himself in. Momwalks in and seems to know the intruder and they up and leave togetherin his Cadillac convertible. Luli's dad asks his daughter where hermother is, and she tells him that she took off with a man in a big car.Her father sighs, and now he also leaves. Luli is alone in the house watching television and notices an adpromoting the qualities of Las Vegas. She grabs a few things and walksalong a road and gets picked up by a guy named Ed in a pick up truckwearing a cowboy hat. They travel for a while, until an argumentresults in Luli getting out and waking to a field for a nap. When sheawakens, a woman is relieving herself at the side of the road. Glendapicks her up and they end up robbing a store. The pair wind up Glenda's friends house and by strange coincidence, Edis there, serving drinks. Luli goes with him to a pool hall where a manassaults her in the ladies room; not to worry, Ed to the rescue. Romeoand Juliet; or better yet, Bonnie and Clyde stop at a motel and argue.Ed chases Luli into a field and afterwords, she is tied to a bed whilebeing told that they were meant to be together. The owner of the cabin(Alec Baldwin) shows up and tells Ed he has to leave soon. Glenda reappears and has a confrontation with Ed concerning Luli. Thereis no happily ever after in Hick, which takes an interesting idea butmeanders along with a bunch of low lifes with no clear direction. ChloeGrace Moretz is terrific, as she narrates throughout, much like SissySpacek in Badlands. The soundtrack is also good, featuring music fromBob Dylan and Patsy Cline. I have great expectations in the future for Miss Moretz, but here hertalent is wasted.

daniel bustard

(2013-05-01 17:03:19)

Good Movie with Supreme Acting

First off the movie is very good, it's not great but nonetheless a goodmovie. The movie itself does lack some depth and elements that wouldhave made it a great picture but it's also another example thatexceptional acting can exist within a lacking movie.First off Chloe Moretz, how could anyone not like this kid? She's juststunning to watch on screen. She ranks right up there with the top kidactresses of their time, Dakota Fanning, Jodi Foster, Saoirse Ronanetc.. She's just that good whether it be a foul mouth little vigilantesuperhero, a 12 year old blood sucking killer or an intense peek intothe life of a little girl who has absolutely nothing good in her lifeto help guide her into adulthood. She captures audiences with tools offacial expressions, sincerity, real tears and of course her innateability to drop F bombs like she's a drunken sailor. She's the type ofactor that makes any movie better. With her in a picture it's a win-winfor all that is involved even if it's just a viewer.Eddie Redmayne - I don't know what it is about this guy but he's a truescene stealer, He has a wonderful ability to bring life into hischaracters and an element of realism that is far superior then mostactors we see today. I watched a few episodes of The Pillars of theEarth and although I didn't like the series Redmayne was the onlyinteresting actor in the series. I think it's his realistic young mannext store, somewhat dorky trouble making look combined with excellentacting ability that sets him apart from today's actors. Watch out forEddie because I think he's going to have a wonderful career. Blake Lively was really good as well, totally believable and a pleasureto watch. The rest of the cast although good were pretty much justfiller and could have been pulled off by most actors today.Anyway if you like character studies and the struggles of youth thenyou'll enjoy this movie. Even though the movie itself lacks some depththe main cast will definitely give you a feel for the characters and attimes it may even feel like you're a fly on the wall or standing in thesame room with them. The actors will draw you in and Chloe through hercharacter of Luli can and will make grown men eyes swell up and shed atear; especially any fathers with daughters.

TxMike

(2013-05-01 06:58:25)

Mostly quirky and strange, many viewers will not like it.

I had a Redbox discount code so I picked this DVD for the evening. Ilike the actors so I figured it would be a good viewing experience.It was an interesting viewing experience. During the middle it got abit slow-moving, so I used that neat feature of my player, push abutton and advance 15 seconds. Watch 5 seconds, advance 15 seconds.That way 20 minutes of movie goes by in 5 minutes and you don't missanything!Chloë Grace Moretz, about 13 or 14 during filming, plays just turning13 Luli McMullen. Her mom and dad aren't much in the way of parents,and Luli is at the "coming-of" age where she wants a say in how herlife turns out. Not too different from a whole host of other suchstories on film. (I recently saw 'Mouth to Mouth' with Ellen Page,similar theme.) So Luli sees something about Las Vegas and she decides that is whereshe will go, leaving her home in Nebraska, with no idea what she willdo once she gets there.She hitches a ride with Eddie Redmayne as Eddie Kreezer, a limpingone-time cowboy. They don't do so well together, she gets let out onthe road, but they meet up again in unlikely circumstances. After shegets a ride with grifter Blake Lively as Glenda .For me the situations and dialog were seldom believable. It just didn'tseem like a plausible story.

margiehardstay

(2013-04-27 23:17:03)

Unfair and Irrational

My title says it all: this film, which was very well done in myopinion, has been hounded and attacked by a specific group of haters --see the other review below. I am sick of reading the nonsense. I sawthe film at its premiere in Toronto and I want to set a few thingsstraight.1. I was involved with the planning of this film's party. So you cancall me biased, but I plan many film's parties and I can assure youthat I have very mixed and honest feelings about the films I am paid toparticipate in. Sometimes I like them, sometimes I don't.In the case of Hick, I absolutely loved the film. I sat through thescreening wondering where the story and its unpredictable bunch ofcharacters were going to take me next. Afterwards I could see the effect the film had n the audience. Peoplecried, others were angered. It was definitely a mixed bag. But thepoint is that the film is very bold and very well made and definitelymade its point. Which is pretty much:When life stinks and you're a 13 year old girl, do not run away fromhome and look to strangers for help. You're better off going to yourlocal foster home because as unlucky as the heroine of the story is,she is very lucky to get get out of her situation alive.The acting is top notch. Chloe Moretz plays several emotional levelswith a conviction no 13 year old performer has the right to have. Sheis sensational. Blake Lively really stretches her abilities here andpulls it off. She makes a fairly unlikeable person understandable andlikable. Eddie Redmayne is off the charts. He plays a wounded soul withcomplete believability, and again, makes an extremely unlikable guyvery, dare I say, sympathetic? Yes. Very.It's a rough story. It's very well made. Time will tell, but based onmy experience, this film will be more accepted as it reaches moreviewers.

jimlacy2003

(2013-04-27 07:07:13)

Garbage, little direction, no taste

From the beginning this movie is obviously and interestingly dark. Thedrunken worthless parents leave their thirteen year old daughter aloneto fend for her self with barely a word before they are gone. She hits the road to experience the world and to apparently make somesense of it all (life).At first it was interesting. She by happenstance gets a ride from ayoung temperamental former now partially gimp rodeo rider cowboy thatappears to be a bit of a hero.Then she hooks up with a gal who appears to be absent of any morals atall, et al, to wind up (it's a small world) connected with the cowboyagain. The cowboy disgruntled, urinates in the bosses drink. Okay, notexactly a tough guy hero.. He he was such a decent tough guy characteras the film portrays why wouldn't he just say "Take this job and shoveit!" and walk out the door? He appeared to be some sort of slave bychoice. Kind of liked the "hero" guy, but obviously now he isn't, moreof a scumbag. What is the point?More misdirected non-sense and then we come to the scene where the girlalmost gets molested (which happen to be by their own doing anyhow) inthe pool hall bathroom. The "cowboy" really roughs the would bemolester up by repeatedly slamming a toilet stall door on his head.Okay understood, he is a "molester" after all. But then in a fit ofunbridled rage gets the strength of Hercules to rip a 50lbs+ sink offthe wall and crashes it flat on the floor guys head. Hey it's just amovie, but I'd think you if actually did such a thing you'd actuallycrush someones head into a broken bloody pulp. What is the point?I actually make this movie sound more interesting then it is. Icompletely gave up on this movie at about the halfway point and walkedout. Boring, uncouth, distasteful, of a pointless and confused movie.I read two other reviews here. One that even knocks others for makingnegative reviews (isn't that against the rules?). Unlike the movie'scowboy, this cowboy is tough enough to stand up against the likes ofthose and call this movie bad for what it is. To each his own too. Youcan sit there all day tell me the "emperor's new clothes" are wonderfuland I'll factually tell you in your face he's plumb naked (and thismovie is horrible) buddy!

contractarianx

(2013-04-21 20:59:30)

Coming of age road drama, courageous in both the character and delivery

Modern Wizard of Oz meets Taxi Driver, with less crutch of violenceneeded to deliver a fearless series of bracing and relentless turns.Martini's unsparing obsession with the art of act, delivered in the rawto near extemporaneous impact, is a must see for aficionados andstudents of same. Ace cinematography frames perspicacious performancespunctuated by: a darkly innocent Chloë Grace, matured beyond but neveris she less than Kick Ass; Blake the artist we all hoped to see behindthe mask of disarming and prior less tested beauty; all topped off withEddie's gripping portrayal of … well, 'Eddie' which matches if notexceeds the best of early, raw de Niro at his most arresting. If youliked Eddie on Tony taking Broadway, in his evanescent while agelessweek with Marilyn or acclaimed as Richard on stage in London, drop thatII'nd in favour of Dante's 9th with a country drawl and delight in thedescent. Bob Dylan's music lays the stage and marks tempo throughoutthis pull no punches screenplay based on Portes' acclaimed novel.Bother to see it- a must for their fans and perhaps most enduringly,for those who love the pure art of film or any student of same- be itin direction, edit or act. A destined classic, and brave for its time.

melnelson

(2013-04-21 06:10:15)

Amazing performances

I saw Hick at the Toronto film festival and I enjoyed the story verymuch. I really related to Chloe Moretz character Luli; I think a lot ofwomen could relate to Luli's journey and how ones innocence could betaken away so quickly. I was simply glued to the screen in front of me.I really believed in Luli and I definitely became attached to her. Yes,Chloe Moretz performance was truly beyond her years, I must admit i wasnot acquainted with her previous movies and I thought she couldn'tpossibly be only 13.Two words can describe her performance ..Incredible and believable. Add Chloe Moretz's confident portrayal of Luli to the scene stealingperformance of Eddie Redmayne;I had no clue who this guy was but heblew my mind, literally, he just commanded attention in every scene andI loved the awkward chemistry between the two actors. I couldunderstand why it could be unsettling to some, but to me it was awesomeseeing them react to one another whether vocally or just by their bodylanguage and facial expressions...What I took out of this film is that the story behind 'Hick' is a storythat is seldomly told accurately in movies these days. A young girltrying to find her path in this world, going through obstacles,failing, learning, discovering that one always has choices in life.Sometimes you may not make the right ones but you learn. In short, I loved the movie, I think people young and old should go seeit. The debates that people are having after seeing this film arediscussions that should be raised. I will be bringing friends to seethis movie as soon as it is out.

Japanese_Girl

(2013-04-14 19:46:14)

Great Popular Actress

This movie is a new state of the young popular actress. Though theyplay a few new duty so far, I feel spirit. It is a pleasure to watchthe figure which such they challenged. I want you to take in a risk andthe readiness that they play this as an actress above all. You see thenew first page.The story is the beginning of a light feeling, but gradually worsens.There is the scene where I watch it as the same woman, and heart aches.But it is finally heartwarming development. May you follow progress tooverturn expectation?Sorry, my English I did in Japanese too, but cannot post here.

Vladimir Camillo

(2013-04-14 14:59:50)

You may get bored

I think that the script it's good but sometimes the movie can get tiredbecause it has unnecessary scenes. The story is good, Chloe Moretzmakes a regular job because sometimes she doesn't act according thesituation and you may lose interest in the plot but definitely shemakes the best performance in the movie. In Blake Lively's case Iexpected more about her because she's a good actress but in this movieshe loses her role. I hope that Moretz make a better performance inCarrie because she has a brilliant future in acting career and roleslike this one helps her to do better jobs in upcoming movies also she'sBEAUTIFUL.

mpfk

(2013-04-12 15:06:23)

A Wizard of Oz for our Times

Derick Martini, whose promise was richly manifested in Lymelife (2009),now gives us a film of poetic if unnerving beauty. Hick's plot is asold as literature—the exploits of a young hero who leaves familiarplaces to encounter and then overcome terrifying obstacles. It is alsothe story that lies at the heart of America and a coming-of-age parablesuited to our times. The Wizard of Oz featured Dorothy; Hick featuresLuli McMullen, a 13-year old Nebraska girl who trades the boredom ofher Midwestern town and tortured parents lost in alcohol for excitementalong the road to Las Vegas, where she hopes to find a sugar-daddy.Based on the best-selling novel by Andrea Portes, who also wrote thefilm's script, Hick is a courageous statement about the power of will;a reminder that very young girls can be daring and sensual but alsothoughtful and ultimately wise.The film begins with a bang. At the party marking her thirteenthbirthday, Luli receives a 45 Smith & Wesson as a present from heruncle. This makes for a jaw-dropping moment funny, deeply sad, andfraught with peril—three elements that distinguish the film as a whole.Luli uses the gun to channel Dirty Harry in front of a mirror. When shestands in her underwear, alone in her bedroom, pointing the weapon ather own image—"Do you feel lucky, punk; well, do ya?"—we suspect, Toto,this is uncharted territory. Luli is an about-to-blossom new icon—agirl to whom gender is incidental, a child-woman with a practicalunderstanding of her body and a dogged determination to survive. She isas vulnerable as she is ready to kick butt.Luli embodies the yearnings of youth and the heavy burdens ofchildhood. She is an artist who draws exquisite, longing images of herlittle brother who was born blue and refused to stay in the world. Shehas a sharp eye and a wicked tongue but the rumbling in her head isthat of an old spirit. Luli has always had to take care of herself and,so far, she has had more losses than gains. She has every reason to bebitter but she chooses hope instead. She's a can-do girl for the NewMillennium. We believe her when she declares, "I got something that'sgonna throw me straight into the sun." Hick, the novel, was widelypraised for its economy of style and the beauty of its language. Thosevirtues have been preserved in the film. Along the yellow brick road that connects her past and her future,Luli—recreated by the talented Chlöe Grace Moretz—encounters Eddie, abroken spirit trapped in a broken body. As portrayed by Eddie Redmaynein an award-deserving performance, Eddie Kreezer is a young nobody witha limp, the result of his failed career as a rodeo artist. He appearsinnocuous but evolves into the epitome of obsession, aiming to use Lulias a toy, an object to suit his desires. On the road to Las Vegas Lulialso meets Glenda—played with wit and intelligence by Blake Lively—agrifter who becomes the girl's guide and mentor. Like other fairygodmothers, Glenda is beautiful, impetuous, and manipulative. This onealso snorts coke and cons men. She lures Luli into a series ofdeceptions that are as troubling as they are hilarious. In the end,Luli must escape the wiles of both Eddie the monster and Glenda thecalculating witch to surface on the other side of the road where theworld of promise and reconfigured goals is waiting. She faces violenceand near death, as all heroes must, in her pursuit of a new freedom.What is wonderful about Luli is that she keeps moving forward no matterhow broken her heart is. Towards the end of her adventure she considersgoing back home only to discover that home is no longer there—it hasbeen taken over by Wal Mart. This too is significant. Hick is Luli's story but also a recounting ofthe way in which the American landscape has been savagely changed bycommercial interests. Like Luli, nature grapples with abuse. As shetravels west, the young heroine celebrates the vistas before her andwryly laments the misuse of the land. But there is still poetry in thatland. Director Martini deftly portrays the breathtaking amplitude ofthe American countryside with its luscious fields and endless skies.Ordinary diners and motels become in his hands places where magic canhappen even to a runaway girl. Rarely has the forlorn beauty ofneglected neon strips and lost main streets been captured so well.Trucks and cars, like those a failed cowboy might favor, have neverlooked more enticing. The heart-stilling terrain that serves as abackdrop for Hick is further brought to life by the music of Bob Dylanand a haunting, complementary score.Hick joins a long string of American movies celebrating the power ofresilience and optimism. From Star Wars (1977) to Good Will Hunting(1997) and the Harry Potter series (2001 – 2011), we rejoice in thetriumph of spirit over matter, endurance over apathy, and good overevil. In most of those cases the heroes have been boys. Hick'starnished champion is a girl and a very young girl at that. For thatreason, despite its beauty and originality, Hick will make someuncomfortable. By now we are used to teens appearing on television,pretending to be femmes fatales but such images can be lightlydismissed as cartoons. Not so with Hick. Luli is a character to betaken seriously—one whose earnest and innocent sexuality is vivid. Wehave never met a 13-year old girl who sets out to write her own story,errors and twisted turns included. The question is whether we are readyfor her and the world she will usher in. Time will tell.Hick is a richly inspiring film; one that renews the conviction that inAmerica all things are possible.

Jen Jae

(2013-04-12 04:31:54)

Really good film!

I really enjoyed the performance by Chloe Moretz as Luli McMullen. Forsuch a young actress, she has some very well refined chops. She carriedthe film quite well alongside a very talented cast. Blake lively does a superb job transforming herself into a rough andtumble gypsy girl and Eddie Redmayne never ceases to amaze me with thebreadth of his ability to take on such varied characters. There is atwisted fragility in his character. Parts of me wanted to give him ahug while the others were completely repulsed by him. Seeing JulietteLewis was a great surprise as Luli's mother. Her inclusion in the filmadded so much to Luli's story and Juliette never fails to give a strongand believable performance. The film is very well acted with a superbcast, an intense story and lots of heart-wrenching moments. If you're looking for an insightful, gritty film, Hick delivers. Highlyrecommended with some great twists and turns. Most definitely a filmthat should have received more attention.

Rob Williams

(2013-04-06 01:53:17)

Another mature performance from Chloe

The excellent Chloe Grace Moretz plays Luli, a Nebraska teen whodecides to head to the bright lights of Las Vegas leaving behind herdrunk of a father and a mother who has run off with another man, sadlythings don't go to plan when she hitches a ride with Glenda (BlakeLively)The story and performances are all very good, but yet again the standout is Chloe, her performances in this and other films such as Kick Assand Let Me In are astonishing for such a young actress (she's barely 15now!)The movie is gritty as Luli is exposed to the dark under belly oflife, drugs, drunks, low life's out to use (and abuse) her.Chloe iswell supported by a good cast, Juliette Lewis, Blake Lively and a cameofrom Alec Baldwin and I was astonished at the films poor rating onRotten Tomatoes of 5% fresh, critics eh!?A mature adult drama well worth a look.

subduedjoy

(2013-04-05 20:16:56)

Very Real

The acting was superb. The story was very real. I, too, was brought upin similar circumstances. What made this movie so real for me was thatit really showed how someone who has been abused will often end upbeing strong, not trusting others completely, and ending up in abusiverelationships. What appealed to me most was Eddie's abusive behaviorand Luli's response. She'll leave because she knows she deserves abetter life and yet she will also return to him. I watched fullyunderstanding why she would fight back, run away, and still return tohim. I think the main reason the movie will get bad reviews is that ifyou have not suffered extreme abusive, then you probably won't be ableto identify with the characters and situation.