Rating: 
Summary: AN OUTSTANDING FILM ON AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT
Review: Anjelica Huston's directorial debut is a stunning one. This film, based with loving care on Dorothy Allison's fine novel by screenwriter Anne Meredith, tells the story of a pre-teen girl growing up under horrific family surroundings in the 1950s American South.Bone Boatwright, played with astounding sensitivity and guts by young actor Jena Malone, is subjected to unconscionable brutality and sexual abuse by her stapfather. Her mother, portrayed here by Jennifer Jason Leigh, is in deep denial of what is happening to her child, unable or unwilling to see what is occuring under her roof -- partly afraid of losing her husband, partly due to psychological trauma she most likely received when she was a child. This pattern of behavior is usually circular in nature -- victims many times become perpetrators or enablers when they become adults. Only intensive counseling and a deep determination on the part of the survivor can break this horrible chain. Jena Malone turns in the performance of a lifetime -- and from one so young! If she can do this level of work at this age, what will she be capable of as her career continues? The entire cast is well-chosen -- this was a project about which they obviously cared very deeply. The performances they give here attest to that. Meredith's screenplay is excellent -- very true to Allison's novel. Some parts were necessarily left out for considerations of film length -- the important thing is that Meredith was intelligent and respectful enough of Allison's work that she wisely chose not to add any elements on her own. Too many screenwriters make that mistake -- it's refreshing to see such a quality screenplay for such an important work as this. Anjelica Huston must have been extremely moved by Allison's novel (an amazing book -- check it out) to have taken on a project such as this, one that she most likely knew would not be a box office smash. She shows great sensitivity to the material here -- there are some scenes that are necessarily brutal in nature, and they are filmed with both truth and dignity. This is an ugly story -- thank God she chose not to show it through rose-colored glasses. The more fine films on this subject are seen, the greater our chances as a people of understanding this shameful problem in our society. The more it is discussed and brought into the light of day, the fewer places there will remain for the perpetrators to hide. Those who don't believe things like this still occur are fooling themselves -- statistics show that over 70% of children in America are sexually abused in some degree. Think about that the next time you pass a school or a playground full of children, who have the right to be leading lives untouched by these predators. I've read that Ted Turner originally commissioned this film, but when it was done refused to show it on his cable network. Too bad he lacked the courage to do the right thing -- and kudos to Showtime for stepping up to the plate and taking over. This is an outstanding film on a heartbreaking but vital topic -- and one that should be seen by more people. Heartfelt thanks to Anjelica Huston, and to everyone involved in bringing this wonderful novel to the screen.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best though shocking movies ever filmed.
Review: This movie is amazing. It's tragic as it's real, it can do nothing but enrage you, and more likely to create a conscience on any rational human being about what should never happen in the world. The performances are equally shocking for it's realism, you can't miss this one, though you need a strong stomach, and to realize that this is something that's ought to stop long ago, but it still happens, so you'll be contributing to an incredible cause by watching this video, and then doing ANYTHING to prevent this from happening. It's about Child abuse, excessive and sick love for someone who hurts your own child, which is truly sick but that seriously happens. There aren't enough words to tell how much this movie affected me, and I'm sure no one would miss it's powerful message. I seldomly write reviews, but this was a must-do. And I wish there is something I can do as well, so that means so can you. As a writer on it's beginnings as well as a screenwriter, I hope someday I can reach some of the power of this movie to keep this from happening.
Rating:
Summary: Frightening
Review: The acting & directing in this film is superb, though the subject matter is horrid. Sometimes we have to look at the ugly things to be able to appreciate the good in the world. Fortunately times have progressed, but this still should be a reminder of what could happen.
Rating: 
Summary: It will rip your heart out
Review: It literally took me at least a month for my feelings to recover after seeing this film on Lifetime. Despite this film's fine direction, acting, and screenplay, it is so barbaric and sickening to watch sweet little Bone (Jena Malone) repeatedly be sexually and physically abused, often strapped with a belt, by her stepfather Glen (Ron Eldard) and never see her mother (Jennifer Jason Leigh) have the brains to take legal action. The scene I will never get over is the final abuse scene where the stepfather intrudes into the house of her aunt and uncle and extensively swings Bone around by her head, punches her in the face, and LITERALLY gets on top of her and rapes her. The only reason why I would ever remember this film is because of a super-strong, absoultely perfect performance by little Jena Malone as Bone, the heart of the entire film. Wow. You have never seen a performance this intense, not even from an adult actress, let alone with material this hideous! By God, she will rip your heart out!
Rating:
Summary: A Tragic, Unflynching, and Wrenching Drama
Review: Did I enjoy watching this movie? No, I hated it, and at times felt so disturbed I wanted to throw up. Did this movie make me angry? So angry I wanted to kill one of the story's main characters. But was the filmaking brilliant? Absolutely. In her directorial debut, Angelica Huston employs an all-star cast, and succeeds in presenting the horrors of child abuse with an unflynching eye. As a result, the viewer is placed in an uncomfortable position, and his emotions are torn inside and out. What is most depressing about this film is its realism. There is no happy ending to this story, and to realize that millions of children are forced to live with rape and abuse on a daily basis is horribly unsettling. Because of the film's excellent filming (Kudos to Huston for her effective use of old country standards), excellent cast, fine script, and strong theme, I give "Bastard Out Of Carolina" an A+.
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting but disturbing movie
Review: Wow! This movie is really intense in parts, some scenes were VERY graphic. Let the viewer beware! This is not a movie for children. It tells the story of a girl who is physically & sexually abused by her stepfather and her mother doesn't protect her. If you like these kind of movies, I would definately recommend this one; the actors are wonderful and the story is very compelling. I did think the pace of the movie was slow in some parts and also some of the characters weren't developed fully enough. That's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5.
Rating:
Summary: Frightening
Review: The acting & directing in this film is superb, though the subject matter is horrid. Sometimes we have to look at the ugly things to be able to appreciate the good in the world. Fortunately times have progressed, but this still should be a reminder of what could happen.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Movie but Disturbing
Review: I just saw this movie for the first time and thought it was outstanding....particuarly the acting. However, it was disturbing especially considering this type of abuse takes place everyday in America...which I believe was message the movie was sending. It's a story that needs to be told. I was particuarly shocked(!)that the mother chose her husband over her daughter...even when she caught him red-handed!!!! And to make matters worse, he was never formally charged/punished. What I would really like to know is how they filmed the brutal rape scene. The talented actress must have not been much older than the character she was portraying. I wonder if a child psychologist/counselor was on the set to work with/debrief her. I would love to see a behind-the-scenes interview on the making of this movie. Overall, I highly recommend this movie, although it may be too upsetting for sensitive viewers.
Rating:
Summary: THANK YOU MS HUSTON
Review: I have owned a copy of this movie, in one form or another, since it was first available and watch it about once every six months or so. The acting is impressive for a made for TV vehicle but the staying power, I believe, rests with the power of the story's visuals and its words. I understand Ms Huston agreed to direct "Bastard out of Carolina" only if she was allowed to show the true ugliness found in the novel. She used her freedom very wisely and managed to draw the needed emotions out of her cast. I honestly believe this tele-movie is must seeing for all of us. The story is true and it is being repeated all around us every minute of every day by our neighbors, friends, and relatives against our loved ones. Until we believe this and look very closely for the signs things will only get worse.
Rating:
Summary: Shocking To The Core
Review: This movie made me sob at the end of it - something that rarely happens due to movies. My best friend was raped by her father, and this movie made me truly realize the sort of pain and torture she went through. This is a very incredible, albeit disturbing film that I think people really need to watch. Incest is a very real and terrible thing in our society and we need to stop keeping it under wraps and pretending it doesn't exist. The acting is very real, and I think the girl that plays Bone does a fantastic job. Yes the movie is shocking. Yes, you -do- see the father beat and rape his child. But why is that so terrible when there are movies out there with unnecessary full frontal nudity? With explicit sex scenes? This rape scene is very vital to the movie and plays a very powerful and pivotal point, and I think that putting it in the movie is not to make it "shocking" and make you gasp, but to make you realize the true horror of real rape and incest. If you were shocked, well then good - just think this was a -movie-. Yes it may be shocking but it is REAL. Can't say that about movies where the man and the woman meet in a bus station and then have sex that night.
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