Movie Review of Thirteen

By Michelle Cass 

The film Thirteen is based on the true story of Nikki Reed. Writer and actress Nikki Reed is known for her iconic leading role “Evie Zamora”, she is also known for being the co-writer of this film. Reed based the film off herself when she was in search of acceptance in junior high, Reed hung out with fast crowds, getting caught up in drugs and shoplifting. Thirteen is a 2003 drama film following a thirteen year old girl, named Tracie who is an innocent, straight A student. She meets Evie in her school who is the opposite of Tracie. Evie is manipulative, reckless, and wild. Tracie befriends Evie who introduces Tracie to the world of shoplifting, drugs, and boys; which is not who Tracie (a straight A student) was before. Before proceeding to read, please be forewarned that this review will contain spoilers. The start of the film shows Tracie starting her school year as a well-mannered and smart kid at a junior high school in Los Angeles. Tracie’s mother, Melanie, a recovering alcoholic struggles to support Tracie and her son Mason as a stay at home hairdresser. On the first day of 7th grade, Tracie comes across Evie, the most popular girl in her grade, who makes fun of her because of the “little girl” clothes she’s wearing. Embarrassed, Tracie throws out most of her clothes and buys new trendier clothes to impress Evie the next day. The following day Tracie wears her new outfits; after seeing Evie leave to use the bathroom, she follows her. Evie, realizing Tracie is following her, compliments her outfit. In turn, Tracie does the same. After they talk for a while, Evie invites Tracie to shop with her at Melrose Avenue in Hollywood. Evie writes her number on Tracie’s notepad and leaves. 

Thrilled Tracie runs home after school and immediately calls Evie. But, after two attempts Traice realizes that Evie gave her a fake number to humiliate her. That doesn’t stop Tracie from being accepted in Evie’s group. Tracie goes to Melrose and finds Evie and her friends shoplifting. She goes outside mortified, while sitting on a bench a distracted woman is on the phone not realizing her wallet is out of her purse. Tracie, seeing this, steals the women’s wallet. She goes and finds Evie who becomes impressed with Tracie shoplifting skills. After that, Evie and Tracie become inseparable. Evie introduces Tracie to this whole new world of drugs, shoplifting, and boys; in the end Tracie has lost complete control of her life. The film depicts lots of realism to what some teens are going through in order to fit in. The film shows in great detail how someone can fall under the influence of the wrong crowd in order to be accepted. As the audience, you can see Tracie’s life falling apart through each scene. Traice is no longer interested in school, fights constantly with her mother, and follows everything Evie does. The director Cathrine Hardwick had done a great job setting the color scheme of each scene; illustrating when Tracie was in distress the shot would be a melancholy blue and when Tracie was calm the shot would be neutral. What makes this movie different from others, is that the film also illustrates the relationship between Tracie and her mother. As Tracie’s mother (Melanine) realizes that Tracie has been acting not herself after she met Evie, she doesn’t know how to intervene. Melanie tries to get through to Tracie as she breaks down feeling as if she failed as a parent. Throughout the movie Traice is constantly causing Melanie distress, but when Evie betrays her at the end; Melanie is by her side trying to comfort her. In many coming of age movies, I haven’t seen much where parents get involved in their children’s life, so as I watched this movie I was surprised at how Melanie’s mother became slowly concerned at what Tracie has become. Nikki Reed not only took this experience from her own life, but also her parents’ lives as she thought they were an important factor of teenagers’ lives. Throughout the movie, you feel sorry for Tracie especially when Evie betrays her and she doesn’t know where to go as her life has spiraled out of control; you can’t help but feel sorry for her. 

All in all, this movie has been one of the best drama films I’ve seen as it gradually becomes intriguing as the film progresses. Nikki Reed is an amazing actress and co-writer who creates an impact on how peer pressure can spiral out of control. I give this movie a 10/10 rating.