Blue Car

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Blue Car

R

Released May 2, 2003

1h 36m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

81%

Tomatometer

89 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Meg is a gifted but emotionally scarred 18-year-old. Meg finds solace in writing poetry. Mr. Auster, her English teacher, recognizes her talent and steps into the role of mentor and father figure, encouraging her to enter a national poetry contest for which he is a judge. As tension at home escalates and Meg struggles to find a way to get to the poetry finals in Florida, Auster's role in her life becomes increasingly complex.

Critics Consensus

A cautionary tale that rings true.

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David Ansen

Newsweek

There's nothing flashy about Moncrieff's filmmaking, and there doesn't need to be: from the start, she gets the emotional details right, and the viewer feels intimately engaged with the young protagonist. It's a powerful, fresh, honest debut.

Mar 7, 2018

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Bill Muller

Arizona Republic

Worth watching for the coming-out party of Agnes Bruckner, a relative newcomer who shows her mettle with an extraordinary performance in this very ordinary tear-jerker.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 12, 2003

Full Review

Andrew Sarris

Observer

An impressive first effort from Ms. Moncrieff, but the eternal Aristotelian in me finds it depressing to watch characters always walking around in moral quicksand.

Jun 11, 2003

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David Walsh

World Socialist Web Site

Margaret Colin is excellent as the harried mother, making desperate and perhaps humiliating efforts to win promotion, unable to pay sufficient attention to her two daughters, alternately angry and tender.

Feb 16, 2021

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

One of the more stunning films I've seen on the subject of sexual abuse and family dynamics.

Rated: 3.5/4.0

Sep 3, 2020

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 6, 2005

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Audience Member

just ok coming of age tale

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Frances H

Well acted and well made drama about a teen in crisis. What I found unforgivable was the betrayal of trust on the part of the teacher in the story--an adult, no matter how unhappy his life, only commits this kind act out of pure selfishness and to do such a thing to a girl he knows has been through hell is inexcusable. Everyone involved betrays their responsibility to this girl, and no one tries to get her the help she needs.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

08/09/13

Full Review

Audience Member

Brilliant pairing of Agnes Bruckner and David Strathairn in this disturbing tale. The way it explores vulnerability and motivation was impressive and I'll be looking for other films where the director, Karen Moncrieff has been involved.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A slow paced, beautiful and melancholic film that touched a nerve. Great performance from Agnes Bruckner. Amazing film considering it is writer/director Karen Moncrieff's film debut and was edited on an apple computer. Stunning.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Audience Member

Gripping, raw, dramatic, real, sad, but not too melodramatic. Everything an indie drama should be.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

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Audience Member

Small but recommendable film about a young girl, growing up in an unstable environment with a lack of people who care for her and various people abusing her. Agnes Bruckner gives an excellent performance as Meg. The story isn't something refreshing and new, but it doesn't disturbs me. The subject is handled very well and the co-actors are good as well. Excellent directing debut by Karen Moncrieff. She managed to make it a remarkable debut. "Blue Car" is an enjoyable film who's certainly worth watching.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Karen Moncrieff

Director

David Strathairn

Auster

Agnes Bruckner

Meg

Margaret Colin

Diane

Frances Fisher

Delia

A.J. Buckley

Pat

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Synopsis

Meg is a gifted but emotionally scarred 18-year-old. Meg finds solace in writing poetry. Mr. Auster, her English teacher, recognizes her talent and steps into the role of mentor and father figure, encouraging her to enter a national poetry contest for which he is a judge. As tension at home escalates and Meg struggles to find a way to get to the poetry finals in Florida, Auster's role in her life becomes increasingly complex.

Director: Karen Moncrieff
Producer: Peer J. Oppenheimer, Amy Sommer, David Waters
Screenwriter: Karen Moncrieff
Distributor: Miramax Films
Production Co: Miramax
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 2, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 23, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $464.1K
Runtime: 1h 36m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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