Trust (2010)

When it’s over, the key word to remember from watching Trust is Awareness.  This independent film is scary and disturbing, but it’s ultimate goal is not to frighten, but rather to educate and to promote awareness surrounding social media and its ability to harm when mis-used.  In this story, a 14 year old girl becomes the target of an online sexual predator.  What follows after predator meets prey is a downward spiral of events and emotions, which tests the strength of family, friendship, and trust.  I was impressed with David Schwimmer’s direction and storytelling skills.   He kept the story tight, honest, and emotionally brutal when necessary.  Although there have been other films relating to online predators (such as Hard Candy 2005 - great film), I found Schwimmer's take a realistic and uncompromising one.  I think what sets this film apart from others that fall along the same storyline is that this film's not about justice, getting even, or payback.  It's more about how the characters react to the tragedy and how they support or not support one another.  Trust mirrors reality and reality can be cruel, where there are no answers, no complete closure.  With a subject matter as sensitive and disturbing as this, the casting is crucial, and with this film, the casting was right on with Clive Owen as the father who becomes obsessed with finding the perpetrator; Catherine Keener as the mother who tries to hold the family together; and Liana Liberato as the troubled young teen who is reluctant to come to terms with what has happened to her. 


My rating:  4 out of 5