neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Blue Car
	Karen Moncrieff Agnes Bruckner, David Strathairn, Margaret Colin, Frances Fisher, Regan Arnold 2002		"Lolita"-like in its sexual dynamic, "Blue Car" delves into the escalating, problematic relationship between a beautiful, troubled high-school girl and a married, middle-aged teacher. Meg, played with resolve and tremulous, bruised tenderness by the astonishingly capable Agnes Bruckner, is stricken by abandonment issues since her parents separated and left her and her sister to habitually fend for themselves. Meg's mother (Margaret Colin) is supporting the now-fatherless family, and spends the rest of her energy in search of a new man. With Mom otherwise occupied, Meg has a tough time caring for her forlorn little sister and finds release by writing poetry. She turns to her English instructor (David Strathairn) for support, but his interest in Meg's creative growth goes way beyond altruism. The film, short on ostentation and long on agonizingly real character moments, never overplays its hand. First-time director Karen Moncrieff, who's done time as an actress on soap operas, treats Meg's search for inner strength and self-esteem with insight and respect. "Blue Car" has emotional conflict and tragic complications, but it's far from the sudsy world of daytime drama.