Bastard Out of Carolina (1996)

This movie is a masterpiece.It deals with a touchy subject. The actors and actresses play there parts so well. You can actually see the sadness in Malone and the hate in Eldard's face. Its sad because things like this happen all the time. This movie is not some fake movie that someone made up in there head. Its truth this does happen to people. And its sad because Leigh's character as the lonely mother is real there are mothers out there that are stuck between loving there child or there lover. Its a sad situation and this movie shows you life. This movie is for sure excellent 10 stars from me.I would recommend this movie to anyone who likes serious movies that just have you on the edge of your seat.

Anjelica Huston's directorial debut is based on a novel by Dorothy Allison. A potent, emotional driven drama deep in the ways of poor South Carolina. It is post-WWII and a young Anney Boatwright(Jennifer Jason Leigh)gives birth to an illegitimate child. She names her baby Ruth Anne(Jena Malone), but she will be known as 'Bone'. Life is difficult for the struggling waitress, who has another daughter and is forced to bury a husband(Dermot Mulroney)killed in an auto accident. Anney's brother Earle(Michael Rooker)introduces her to her future...Glen Waddell(Ron Eldard). The two marry, but soon Glen starts taking his anger out on 'Bone'. The bonds between mother and daughter will become dangerously strained when Anney finds her husband raping 'Bone'. This following the constant violent physical abuse of the child behind her mother's back. There is a strong ensemble cast, but the young Malone is brilliant beyond her age. Other players: Glenn Headly, Grace Zabriske, Diana Scarwid, Lyle Lovett, Christina Ricci, Pat Hingle and narrated by Laura Dern. Rated R for the strong depiction of sexual and violent abuse including two rape scenes of a child.

I saw this movie for the first time on 9/27/06. The young actress who played 'Bone' did a great job. The scenes of child abuse, though, made me physically sick to my stomach.When I saw that band of men begin 'beating the crap' out of her bastard of a stepfather (I'm not calling the actor that, of course. He did a great job in his role. But the character he played was a sadistic piece of crap.), I began cheering aloud. There was a line from Gilbert and Sullivan's 'Mikado,' I think it was: 'Let the punishment fit the crime.' (I'd also like to have a copy of the book this movie's based on; usually I watch the movies first, then find the books.) I was glad at the end. 'Bone' got a legal name and a good family.

I just finished watching this movie five minutes ago and I am disgusted! At the beginning, you feel sorry for Annie, especially the part when she's at her husband's funeral with her two daughter, but all that sympathy disappears in a flash! I think that Annie is as much as a monster as her husband! At first she does try to provide and protect both of her daughters but than, she becomes a fool in love; A REALLY BIG ONE! I don't believe how could she allow a monster to abuse her own flesh and blood like that! When I was watching this, I kept thinking "what if he's doing it to her other daughter!?" I was disturbed while I watched every scene that Bone endured every type of abuse. The part that made me choke up was when Annie found Bone being rape by her crazy husband. I was appalled at the fact that after she saw it with her own two eyes, Annie choose that low-life over her daughter.Angelica Huston did a wonderful job as director by keeping the scenes realistic (I know I was yelling at the T.V. in Spanish and English). The actress who portrayed Boone (sorry I forgot her name) did an amazing job at bringing life into that character. She evoked sympathy from the audience and made you want to just save her from her misery. The actor who played her abusive step-father did an excellent job at portraying a monster. My favorite part was when all of Bone's uncles beat up the step-father at her aunt's funeral!Overall, I gave this movie an 8/10.If your gonna watch this be prepared to go through a cycle of emotions, pretty much all of them-don't forget the box of tissues!