Trust

Released: July 8th 2011 (UK)

Directed By: David Schwimmer

Starring: Liana Liberato, Clive Owen, Catherine Keener

Certificate: 15 (UK)

Reviewed By: Ben Harris

Friends star David Schwimmer gets behind the camera for his second feature film and tackles a sensitive subject with well-controlled subtleness.

Teenager Annie (Liana Liberato) starts to talk to a boy, who is known as Charlie, online. It starts of as harmless chatting but over the course of a couple of months the two begin to flirt like normal hormonal teens do. However Charlie starts to lie about his age but a naïve Annie forgives and forgets and persists with wanting to meet up with him. When the two finally meet Charlie turns out to be a man in his 30’s, but with his calmness and persuasive ways he convinces Annie to go to his hotel room where he rapes her.

‘Trust’ doesn’t glorify the shameful act and mainly focuses on the aftermath of the situation. Not only does it show the effects it has on Annie but also her parents. Annie feels she wasn’t raped and that “Charlie” cares for her, whilst her father and mother deal with the situation with anger and frustration.

Personal feelings are looked upon but also the strain it puts on relationships, especially between father and daughter. What makes the struggle for all of them so tragic, but in some way touching, are the emotionally charged performances from the actors. Clive Owen and Catherine Keener do extremely well as the crushed parents but its Liana Liberato who shines as Annie. She realistically shows the mental abuse that also comes with such a traumatic experience.

Its bold and surprising choice for Schwimmer but he does the subject matter justice and conveys a very important message – be cautious at who you speak to online. The direction itself is slightly reserved resulting in the film not having an overly cinematic feel, but that said, it’s still nicely filmed and shows what potential Schwimmer has as a director.

‘Trust’ is a disturbing yet honest film. It may lack a creative flare but it’s an important topic that people shouldn’t hang back from.