My Movie Monday

After (Nico Mirallegro) Jace Witherspoon is kicked out by his abusive father(Sean Penn), he seeks refuge in Albuquerque with his older brother (Penn Badgley), whom he hasn't seen in six years. Their mother(Catherine Keener), also a victim of her husband's abuse, promises to leave him and join her children on Thanksgiving. Jace counts down the days while trying to start a new life and rebuild his relationship with Christian, but he's haunted by a terrible secret and the people he left behind. This gripping story is especially noteworthy because Jace is a victim who has also become an abuser: he hit his (Jane Levy) girlfriend during an argument the night he left Chicago. He is quick-tempered, proud, and charming, like his father. In contrast, Christian is more like their mother: restrained, deliberate, and humble. Their father's abuse has made Christian emotionally distant, but Jace's presence forces him to open up and confront his guilt about leaving his sibling behind. The brothers' growing relationship, as they turn to each other to escape from their father's shadow, is touching.

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"Sometimes I wonder why words can't actually make us bleed."

Unfortunately, two abused kids do not necessarily make the best roommates. They've got a lot of trauma, secrets, and bitterness to live through. They do have help from Christian's English teacher girlfriend, (Arielle Kebbel) Mirriam, and Jace's co-worker, Dakota.-Kyle

Based on Swati Avasthi's Novel.