Trust - All the more terrifying if you’re a parent

I have to say that ‘Trust’ is a good film, although, if, like me, you’re a parent, you may find it more than a little hard to watch.  It’s a drama about a nice, normal, middle-class American family, whose life is ripped apart when their thirteen year old daughter meets a ‘boyfriend’ online.  It’s fair to say that this ‘boy’ is more of a man, but ‘predator’ may be a better description.

It’s hard-hitting and definitely not a feel-good movie.  In places it’s pretty full on and has received some criticism for taking certain scenes – what some people perceive to be – a little ‘too far’ in the name of making a point.

I found it more ‘horrific’ than most – supposed – horror films, largely because it’s totally believable and sadly very true to most families’ lives, especially those with children who are starting to spread their wings and take a few independent steps online.

Whether you love or hate the film, it’s a story that needs to be told and, more importantly, understood.  Parents need to be aware of who exactly their children may be communicating with online from the privacy of their own bedroom.  While the kids themselves need to be aware that the nice kid they’ve met in chatroom may be anything but who they say they are.

Clive Owen in the biggest name on the cast list and is more than able to carry the film on his own.  Catherine Keener plays his on-screen wife, but, despite being an accomplished actress in her own right, he's not given as much screen time as Owen, or their daughter.  She's the young actress (Liana Liberato) who really is the most believable part of the film and nails what she has to pull off perfectly.

‘Trust’ isn’t suitable for kids – naturally – but, in some ways, I almost see it as a ‘public information’ film about the dangers of internet relationships.  It’s a hard film to watch and, just because it’s not a true story, doesn’t mean that it’s not tragically true.

8/10 The Force is definitely strong with this one