Thirteen (2003 film)

Thirteen
Directed by	Catherine Hardwicke
Written by	Catherine Hardwicke Nikki Reed
Produced by	Jeff Levy-Hinte Michael London
Starring	Evan Rachel Wood Nikki Reed Holly Hunter Brady Corbet
Music by	Mark Mothersbaugh
Distributed by	Fox Searchlight
Release dates	August 20, 2003
Running time	100 min.
Country
Language	English
Budget	$1.5 million
Box office	$4,599,680

Thirteen is a 2003 film co-written by Catherine Hardwicke (who also directed the film) and Nikki Reed. It is an autobiographical film based on Reed's experiences as a 13-year-old and those around her in the same age group, and their use of illicit drugs and sexual encounters. The film's script, written in six days, originally called for a comedic tone.

The film caused controversy upon its release, dealing with topics such as underage sexual behavior (the teenagers involved in it are as young as 13-14) and drug and alcohol abuse. Many drew comparisons between this film and the equally controversial 1995 drama Kids, which explores similar issues such as drug abuse and sexuality in teenagers.

Plot

At the age of 13, Tracey Freeland (Evan Rachel Wood) is a Straight-A student and poet. Her personal life becomes troubled as she struggles with her self-esteem. She is also confused and torn between the relationship of her divorced parents, while trying to deal with her mother, Melanie's (Holly Hunter) involvement with a many times over rehabilited coke abuser. Tracey turns to self-mutilation by cutting her wrists as a way to release the stress. Tracey decides that another way to deal with her self-esteem would be to become friends with the most popular girl in school, Evie Zamora (Nikki Reed). It becomes obivous that Evie is troubled, however Tracey's desire to fit in overrides her better judgement and soon the two girls are caught in a downward spiral of sex, drugs, and crime. Stealing money, clothes and getting piercings is just the start. Melanie sees what is happening with the two girls but is powerless to stop it and soon the girls are too out of control for her to help.

Ending

After telling Evie that she thinks it's time for Evie to move back to her own house, Tracy comes home to find Evie, Evie's guardian Brooke, and Melanie waiting for her. They confront her about her drug use, Tracy starts arguing with them stating that she learned everything from Evie. Brooke tries to say that Tracey was the bad influence on Evie and that they were moving to get away from her. Melanie takes up for Tracey stating that she was still innocent when she met Evie. Brooke than grabs Tracey pulling her sleve back to reveal the cuts on her wrists. Melanie screams at Brooke and Evie to get out. Tracey and her mother are both crying at this point and Tracey tells her mother to let go of her because she knows she didn't really want her. Melanie walks Tracey back to Tracey's room, Melanie continues to hug Tracy eventually they fall asleep. The movie ends with Tracy spinning on a park structure toy and eventually screaming. .

Cast (in order of appearance)

• Evan Rachel Wood as Tracy Freeland
• Nikki Reed as Evie Zamora
• Holly Hunter as Melanie Freeland
• Brady Corbet as Mason Freeland
• Ulysses Estrada as Rafa
• Sarah Blakely-Cartwright as Medina
• Sarah Clarke as Birdie
• Jasmine Di Angelo as Kayla
• Vanessa Anne Hudgens as Noel
• Tessa Ludwick as Yumi
• Kip Pardue as Luke
• Jeremy Sisto as Brady
• Cynthia Ettinger as Cynthia
• Deborah Kara Unger as Brooke LaLaine
• Charels Duckworth as Tracy's last boyfriend

Production

The movie was shot on lower cost super 16mm film, mostly with a handheld camera. More or less all of the scenes were filmed on location, some in Hollywood and Venice, Los Angeles, California. The school scenes were shot at Portola Middle School in Tarzana. Many of the extras were students. Tracy was originally meant to be played by Nikki Reed. Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed were both 14 during filming (Wood turned 15 during the shoot). Footage from their first audition together wound up in the finished film. The wardrobe worn by the girls was mostly their own. As the filming progressed, they began dressing similarly without being told to. Although the girls are seen smoking, the cigarettes were made with catnip. According to the commentary, following the successful audition, Holly Hunter, Evan Rachel Wood and Nikki Reed all spent that night in the house where the Freelands lived. Nikki and Evan dressed up in green and pink wigs and pictures of them can be seen on the cork board in the kitchen. During the belly piercing scene, the line in which Tracy asks "What the fuck did you do?" was not scripted but rather, Reed had accidentally poked the top of Wood's belly button with the needle, from which she carried a scar.

Critical reception

Thirteen received positive reviews. The film is currently rated as 82 percent "certified" fresh on the Tomatometer, including 89 percent fresh among cream of the crop critics. Holly Hunter was nominated for 2003 Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Both Hunter and Evan Rachel Wood were nominated for Golden Globes the same year, respectively for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress in a Drama.

Soundtrack

The score was written by Mark Mothersbaugh.

Track listing

1. "Mas" - Kinky
2. "Super Bad Girl" - Iffy
3. "The Equaliser" - Clinic
4. "Ivanka" - Imperial Teen
5. "(So I'll Sit Here) Waiting" - The Like
6. "Make It With The Best" - Folk Implosion
7. "Beso" - Carmen Rizzo
8. "Killer Inside Me (Meat Beat Manifestation Mix)" - MC 900 Ft. Jesus
9. "Explain It To Me" - Liz Phair
10. "Lemon" - Katy Rose
11. "Pay Attention To Me" - Orlando Brown
12. "The Freshest" - The Freshmaka
13. "Nicotine" - Anet
14. "Bien Caliente (Edit)" - The Tormentos
15. "Score: The Shoot Out" - Mark Mothersbaugh
16. "Score: Hit Me" - Mark Mothersbaugh

External links

• Official site
• Thirteen at IMDb
• Thirteen at Rotten Tomatoes
• Thirteen at Box Office Mojo
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• Movienet – article by screenwriter