The storyline follows a young teenage girl, Newton, whose parents are dissatisfied with her grades at school in several subjects. They hire special tutors and insist that she hunker down and get A+ in those subjects instead of the B's that she was getting. Trying to please them, she does what they ask for, but her other subjects suffer as does her mental health. Finally, with some outside guidance, Newton realizes that her parents' fixation is overshadowing her own happiness.
This short film from India offers up a topic not uncommon among families, when parents put their own goals and desires ahead of their own child's. We see a father who doesn't want to take responsibility for pressuring his young daughter and a mother who doesn't stand up for her daughter. The production values are excellent, from the camera work to the audio recording, the sets and locations - all are excellent and appropriate. The plot development feels real and unravels at a comfortable pace. The only thing that made me chuckle is the hair styles of most of the women, from Newton and her mom to others. All the women have two little knots on top of their head, which reminds me of a child's fairytale book. Other than that, all the costumes and makeup are spot on.
The film's message is to talk with your family members about the stresses in their lives and accept that your child's happiness isn't based on the same things that you, as a parent, are.
I give We Need To Talk 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
The storyline follows a young teenage girl, Newton, whose parents are dissatisfied with her grades at school in several subjects. They hire special tutors and insist that she hunker down and get A+ in those subjects instead of the B's that she was getting. Trying to please them, she does what they ask for, but her other subjects suffer as does her mental health. Finally, with some outside guidance, Newton realizes that her parents' fixation is overshadowing her own happiness.
This short film from India offers up a topic not uncommon among families, when parents put their own goals and desires ahead of their own child's. We see a father who doesn't want to take responsibility for pressuring his young daughter and a mother who doesn't stand up for her daughter. The production values are excellent, from the camera work to the audio recording, the sets and locations - all are excellent and appropriate. The plot development feels real and unravels at a comfortable pace. The only thing that made me chuckle is the hair styles of most of the women, from Newton and her mom to others. All the women have two little knots on top of their head, which reminds me of a child's fairytale book. Other than that, all the costumes and makeup are spot on.
The film's message is to talk with your family members about the stresses in their lives and accept that your child's happiness isn't based on the same things that you, as a parent, are.
I give We Need To Talk 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. By Julie S., KIDS FIRST!
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