A Very Sad Movie

[Nat]

http://www.veoh.com/videos/v2401525ssJ2f8ST?confirmed=1

[willow]

Ooof, that's going to rock some cribs.

So much suffering, so much shame. Anyone know anything about the creator?

[tris]

Wow, and we were just talking about this kind of abuse. . .

[b0xer21]

sad video, i danced during the techno parts...but sad none the less.

edit:

video thoughts...is it just me or did her voice sound a lil fucked up?

[maly]

Wow that is very powerfull!

Very moving.

Darkness is indeed a very lonly place to be, may she and all beings in that amount of suffering be well, may they be happy and may they find an end to suffering.

OM MANI PADME HUM

Mal.

[nitrous]

The film Redemption, truly shows how horrible people can treat others and how that treatment can scar a person for life. I think most people including myself who can remember being forced to wear diapers and remember the humiliation end up in some extent like that poor girl in the film, with feelings of being alone, being trapped, being helpless, until those feelings become part of ones personality. These feelings create a desperate longing to be a baby or to wear diapers because that is the only way to deal with stress, depression, and drama, in one's life. There for we often seek out in life a companion who can help us fill that hole in our heart that was viciously dissected by the scalpels of hateful humiliation. These companions that abused abs and dls seek out can be people like me, who have and know the feelings of torment they feel and yet are able to overcome and move past those feelings. Those like me have an inner calling to want to help nurture and heal the people who still feel the scars of their tormented child hood. There are other kind companions who do not know of this. Who, when encounter an ab or dl open up their natural impulse of compassion and love toward abs and dls, such as the husband did for the main character in Redemption.

Edited January 22, 2008 by nitrous

[BriGuy]

Woa what a heavy movie. Well done BRAVO! It really seems to sum up the feelings a lot of AB's who were abused feel. In the end all we want is to be loved...

~Brian

[Angela Bauer]

The title of this short film "Redemption" has been used many times, as shown by IMDb. My next step was to check the names listed on IMDb. This is a Michael Bryson film and he plays the husband toward the end. IMDb shows two people with that name, one an actor and the other crew. Apparently those are different people. Ginger Martin is credited as the mother. An actress with the same name played an adult character in "Bad News Bears" so chances are that is not the same person. Ayla Judson is credited as playing the young girl. In 2006 she played "Ghost Girl" in Halletsville which starred Gary Bussey, which is not shown as being released. In 2007 Ayla had an uncredited role in Homo Erectus that was shown during the 2007 SlamDance Festival, an off-shoot of Sundance.

That's about it for the creatives. Interesting that Ayla, who is now 13 and from San Antonio, TX left a comment about the film.

There is a thriving film making community in San Antonio, so it is possible this film was made there.

It is disturbing seeing an actual minor being physically abused on camera. The reality is that bedwetting beyond age 4 is an emotional issue in many families and is reported to be a serious cause of physical abuse. Let us hope when significant numbers of the general public find this film attention will be given to educating parents that children are not being naughty when they wet. What a shame the mother took out her anger on the girl, instead of helping the child regain bladder control. With love and affection the child could have been talked into accepting diapers and a rubber sheet as a temporary way of dealing with bedwetting.

Ooof, that's going to rock some cribs.

So much suffering, so much shame. Anyone know anything about the creator?

[tris]

I think what's worse is that the majority of the viewers of this film are going to be looking at it for the obvious reasons . . . Not in sympathy for the plight of the little girl, either. :/

Disturbing, and I didn't even watch the entire thing. . . Couldn't finish, it made me feel really . . . ugh, it just put a damper on my afternoon.

[Guest Baby_brad]

the voice was messed up to protect the girls identity. OMG that was so sad! I'm not going to spoil the ending but DAMN!

[Nat]

I didn't know it was her husband, I thought it was her boyfriend.

But I didn't understand why she was reliving the abuse. She hated wearing diapers and being treated like a baby so she killed her mother. Then she is wearing diapers in her adulthood and sucking on a pacifier and drinking out of a bottle. I don't think she wore them 24/7. Why would someone want to relive the abuse they went through when they were a kid and then do it to themselves in their adulthood?

[Angela Bauer]

At the very end of "REDEMPTION" after the screen goes black, there is a fade-in showing the "Older Girl" snuggling in bed with "Husband" then after some technical credits there is a cast list. Father, Mother, Young Girl, Older Girl and Husband.

In the birthday cake scenes, there are 10 candles. The icing says "Happy Birthday Amber" In the scenes with the adult wearing a diaper, her wedding ring shows especially when she is suckling from the nursing bottle.

Clinical psychology is not my profession. Victims of abuse turning to AB has long been a subject in fiction. It is possible some who were abused with diapers and being treated as infants later do find aspects of AB a coping strategy. Since Older Girl appeared sad once Husband left for work, she recovered a container from under the bed. In it apparently were her AB supplies, plus a set of crime scene photos.

Perhaps screen writer, producer and director Michael Bryson wanted to make his point within 20 minutes by showing a few sensational scenes, without real-life logic. I do not mean to pick nits. As disturbing as "Redemption" is, it sure got a discussion started.

Without nitpicking, I am curious: When Mother diapers Young Girl, it appeared the tabs were very wide. When Older Girl is diapered, she only has one tab per side. Both kinds of diapers are decorated. Are those actual off-the-shelf products? Did the prop and costume department decorate various styles of adult diapers? We know the actress playing "Young Girl" is Ayla Judson, born Dec 15 1994. Debbie Judson, perhaps her actual mom, is credited as a production assistant. Ayla was 12 when the video was produced and is not tiny for her age. Could a gal that big fit into any decorated toddler disposable? Monica Curtis plays Older Girl. She is hardly a child-size adult woman. I am not familiar with any adult disposables with just one tab per side. To me the decoration appeared to be added. Perhaps that is also true for the smaller disposables. Could those have started as Attends Small or Youth?

Logic suggests that if Young Girl was 10 when her Father died, and Older Girl is married, at least 10 years have passed. Were such huge flat-screen TV sets available to the general public so long ago? When Young Girl is suckling a pacifier, it is an UltiMAM with a toddler regular latex nipple. Were those on the market in 1996? Funny, Older Girl prefers another style of pacifier that seems retro to me. The nurser bottles both suckle appear to be clear plastic 8oz, perhaps Evenflo. Young Girl's bottle is decorated, while Older Girl's is plain.

I didn't know it was her husband, I thought it was her boyfriend.

But I didn't understand why she was reliving the abuse. She hated wearing diapers and being treated like a baby so she killed her mother. Then she is wearing diapers in her adulthood and sucking on a pacifier and drinking out of a bottle. I don't think she wore them 24/7. Why would someone want to relive the abuse they went through when they were a kid and then do it to themselves in their adulthood?

[adriansurley]

Made me cry personally...but I am just emotional in general.

[Nia]

I was not abused to quite that extent but close. Years later I found out my accidents where from a birth defect and couldn't be helped. I turned back to diapers and regressing years later as a coping mechanism and luckily my SO understands the missing love from that time and why. She looks after me now and lets me be, and loves, the baby girl that I need to be some times. And yes at times there are incredibly conflicted feelings about the diapers and all but for the most part my brain wants that time as a little back.

[lynniehyde]

Very dark. Very brooding. And very much, a work of art. I congratulate Michael Bryson for work that will be considered among the very best in this genre. I do not generally condone the participation of youths in our "scene". But the story demanded it. A sad story, to be sure. But, a great piece of filmaking. I'm sure it will strike a similar chord in many an AB's heart. Kudos to Michael Bryson and staff. Vive le "cine noire".

Bravo! Encore!

Cuddles,

--heidilynn

[willnotwill]

I don't think the diapers in the adult scenes indicate any "adult baby" leanings. The box under the bed is just the relics of her "past": the diapers (you have to use artistic license with regard to size changes), the pacifier, the bottles, the police photos. She pulls them out not because she's developed a liking but because she's facing her past and eventually revealing the horrors to her husband.

[willnotwill]

Can anybody make out what the mother says as she's dragging the girl outside? (After "time to go outside").

[Angela Bauer]

Will, you are on to something. "Redemption" is one of those provocative independent videos that requires the audience to stop and think. Each of us will find different interesting aspects. Then we can have the shared experience of discussing what we saw. By now I have downloaded this to my hard drive, which I must say really improves the sound quality. One of the first comments here felt there was a deliberate attempt to disguise the voice of the narrator. Personally I now think that sound is a combination of the woman's accent and artifacts of multi-generation digital recordings.

Will, you noticed that the nursing bottle, pacifier and diaper all are different when "Older Girl" is contemplating the past. That is a very keen observation. Wow, right now I wish there were some kind of film festival, perhaps connected to the Sundance thingie, where the cast and creatives of REDEMPTION were on stage to answer audience questions. The more I look at this video, with and without the sound, pausing to study details, things you can't do when seated in an audience as the video screens, the more convinced I am despite this being an independent production, the creatives are well-trained and ultra-sophisticated film makers. There do not appear to be any accidents during filming that reached the screen in the ultimate edit presented.

The easy thing would have been to use the same kind of diaper, bottle and pacifier, as if those had been saved in the plastic container for many years, along with the evidence envelope containing the crime scene photos. On first viewing, as a lawyer I focused on how Older Girl obtained those photos. Now I realize I must view the entire story and completely suspend disbelief and my tendency to pick nits.

Had Older Girl completely lost track of the time on the day Husband discovered her in the diaper with the photos. We are led to assume somehow he knew nothing of her past. It is entirely possible the contemplation by adult Older Girl is happening thousands of miles from where Young Girl was abused. Perhaps when the body of Mother was discovered, Child Protective Services began taking care of and providing psycho therapy for Young Girl. Along the way physical evidence of the abuse, such as the original left-over diapers, nurser and pacifier might have been thrown away by the authorities. Once Older Girl had completed therapy and become an adult she could have filed a Freedom of Information order to obtain the evidence photos. Then she could have gone shopping to replace the missing diapers, nurser and pacifier.

Although Older Girl has some stuffed toys, they are not the same ones. Her clothing is not far enough from normal to be fetish adult baby. Yet when we compare the mature look of Young Girl during the graveyard confrontation with the way she was dressed under the "care" of Mother, the implication was that this was forced infantilism.

There are many possible explanations why Young Girl did actually wet her bed. The auto accident that killed Father might have caused PTSD in both Young Girl and Mother. Each presented PTSD in different ways. Enuresis is commonly considered a symptom of PTSD in children. Many details were left to the vivid imagination of every viewer. The audience is told nothing of the years between Mother's death and Older Girl's contemplation.

Somehow the incontinence or enuresis was treated. My impression is that Older Girl did not need a diaper when she kissed Husband good-bye. To me her diaper was dry when Husband found her. That was no accident by the creatives. They went to the trouble of wetting Young Girl's jammies in a realistic way when it counted.

The early narration and the images shown do not agree. It is entirely possible Older Girl misinterpreted Mother's feelings prior to the auto accident. It is also possible Older Girl got it right, Mother already was jealous of the relationship between Father and Young Girl. PTSD could be a factor causing Mother to force the infantilism beyond reason.

Few would argue that it is appropriate parenting to obtain medical care for a 10yo girl who starts wetting her bed following an traumatic event. Perhaps a rational parent would put a rubber sheet on the girl's bed to protect the mattress, then sweet-talk the child into accepting the protection of discreet disposable products, such as GoodNites.

The literature of child abuse prevention is filled with case studies where children wetting drives parents to rage, often acted out with verbal and severe physical abuse. The filmmakers sure showed us Mother's rage. But, they also showed us Mother being kind. Remember the scene in which Young Girl walks down stairs wearing a long skirt while working a pacifier? Mother is waiting. She greets her daughter warmly, then turns her so she can lift the back of the girl's skirt to show the obvious diaper. After allowing the skirt to fall back into place, Mother gently pats the girl's bottom before picking up a large and childish diaper bag, then leaving the house with the girl. Unfortunately for Young Girl in a following sequence it is implied Mother put the girl on the floor to change her diaper in the living room prior to dragging the weeping and protesting child out the door. There the child huddles outside, in just her diaper and top, on the ground beside a fence. In dispair the child tosses her pacifier, then the house door opens slightly.

See, each of us will find a million things in REDEMPTION to make us think. We must thank the producers for spending a significant amount of effort and money to make this short video with zero chance of being a profit center. If there is justice, this might be the sample reel to jump-start careers in Entertainment for cast, crew and creatives. At the moment only Ayla Judson (playing Young Girl so very well) has a page on IMDb, showing a credited small role in a feature film that has not found distribution and an uncredited role in a film that was shown at a festival in 2007. Could this be her year?

How many people knew about Ellen Page before her Oscar nomination for starring in JUNO? A few Powers That be in Hollywood had seen her in 2006 in HARD CANDY another film difficult to watch about a victim of abuse who turns the table.

Will, can any of us ever forget the image of Young Girl removing that chromed stainless S&W .38 Chief's Special revolver from the drawer, carrying it toward Mother, placing first her pacifier, then the gun on the counter, using a trained two-handed grip and cocking the hammer? The audience is left to consider the consequences. Could the evidence photos show the body of Mother on the floor?

I don't think the diapers in the adult scenes indicate any "adult baby" leanings. The box under the bed is just the relics of her "past": the diapers (you have to use artistic license with regard to size changes), the pacifier, the bottles, the police photos. She pulls them out not because she's developed a liking but because she's facing her past and eventually revealing the horrors to her husband.

[tris]

This film might possibly pave the way for future AB-themed productions, yet I also see the producers/creators getting into legal stickies for the content of the film, artistic license or not. Angela, you're the JD -- what are the possibilities in that realm?

I also fear for young Ayla -- If she hasn't already gotten unnecessary attention before, I'm positive she will now. I'm also surprised that a Texas family would allow their underage daughter to perform such roles on a widely distributed film. How on earth did they cast for that? Of course, the parents had to sign off on these kinds of things. . . Are they naive? Perhaps they're not aware of the 'scene' that goes with adults in diapers.

I've seen Ellen Page in Hard Candy -- unfortunately for me, I tuned in right as she's preparing to slice off the photographer's -- yeah. *shudder* So I had a hard time continuing.

[lynniehyde]

"can any of us ever forget the image of Young Girl removing that chromed stainless S&W .38 Chief's Special revolver from the drawer, carrying it toward Mother, placing first her pacifier, then the gun on the counter, using a trained two-handed grip and cocking the hammer? The audience is left to consider the consequences. Could the evidence photos show the body of Mother on the floor?"

I agree, Angels. The images presented in the movie are startling, moving and memorable. I also agree there are continuity problems. But it's probably a low budget project, at best. The continuity can be ignored, in my opinion. It's the story that sells it. And, the camera work. And, the direction. And like Hitchcock, sometimes it's best to leave the audience guessing.

Cuddles,

--heidilynn

[Angela Bauer]

Heidilynn, compared to a major Hollywood studio movie, REDEMPTION must have a tiny budget. Of course, compared to the bulk of 21 minute short subjects made by independent producers, the budget was enough to ensure quality work and fanatical attention to detail. The Monty Python Spanish Inquisition cardinals will be so proud!

With respect, considering the quality of the production design, the camera work and the acting, I seriously doubt any lapses in what we consider "continuity" are mistakes. My working assumption is that the creatives are telling the incidents as rememberd by "Younger Girl" played so well by Ayla Judson. BTW, in my early message today I called her character "Young Girl" and when I checked the credits again, I see it is Younger Girl. A production assistant named Dawn Judson is credited, so I assume that is the mother of the actress.

People ask about legal problems. Golly I am so happy my firm does not represent the producers or distributors. I specialize in corporate litigation, mostly in Federal Court. My professional suggestion to all the adults involved in this production is to retain the best available criminal defense attorneys experience in both Federal and whatever state in which this was made. Artistic Merit is not a perfect defense when the charge is kiddie porn. Nowhere in the USA can a parent make a contract contrary to the fiduciary best interest of the child. Ayla Judson was a minor child of tender years when the video was shot, so she does not get a legal vote about making this film. Let us hope Ayla does become a huge star, equal to Ellen Page right now. Let us also hope that Ayla matures as a responsible adult without the excess of Ms Spears, et al. How will Ayla react at age 25 when someone brings up images of her diapered, working a pacifier?

It is no secret the S&W revolver was not loaded. Actually I am very happy the creatives did not place dummy shells in the visible chambers. This is not in my mind a continuity problem, nor a solution to a sticky legal/safety issue. I prefer to think it was a deliberate creative decision to allow the audience to hope someone else fired the fatal shot. Maybe seeing that revolver in the steady two-handed grip that an FBI range master would approve, was a wake-up call to Mother her abuse had crossed the line. I am told when someone aims a firearm at you and you see as well as hear the hammer cocked, you do not pay attention to empty chambers. It only takes one live round. What if Younger Girl simply put the revolver on the counter, picked up her pacifier and left the room. Meanwhile Mother had to change her own soiled panties, the usual reaction of facing a gun at close range. Later Mother was so filled with remorse she did load the S&W and ended her own sad life. Anything is possible.

Ayla Judson is listed by IMDb as living in San Antonio, TX. During the Phil Spector trial the former chief medical examiner of that (Bexar) County testified to an extraordinary percentage of suicides by women using guns. Golly Vince DiMattro, MD was under oath.

What we know is it took guts to make this short video. Personally I cannot imagine going to people with production money and explaining the concept of this film before a scene was filmed.

The important thing is REDEMPTION was made, was edited, had music added and has been distributed on-line. Perhaps it will jump-start careers for Michael Bryson, who did everything including playing "Husband." Now, unless Monica Curtis who played Older Girl actually did recover from wrist slitting years ago, I also see a bright future for Amy C. Rabold credited with both Makeup and Special Effects Makeup. All those details are pitch perfect. Mother's highlights became increasingly obvious as she decended into madness. Older Girl did not have skin flaws painted out, and some of that could be special effects makeup. Younger Girl started out looking like a sophisticated tweenie of 10 going on 30 at the playground, and even before the physical abuse appeared years younger while wetting her bed. Older Girl is shown appearing to wear no makeup, which is itself a special effect.

Honestly I wish the music was credited. Even that was carefully selected, mixed and edited.

Comments?

I agree, Angels. The images presented in the movie are startling, moving and memorable. I also agree there are continuity problems. But it's probably a low budget project, at best. The continuity can be ignored, in my opinion. It's the story that sells it. And, the camera work. And, the direction. And like Hitchcock, sometimes it's best to leave the audience guessing.

Cuddles,

--heidilynn

[lynniehyde]

"People ask about legal problems. Golly I am so happy my firm does not represent the producers or distributors. I specialize in corporate litigation, mostly in Federal Court. My professional suggestion to all the adults involved in this production is to retain the best available criminal defense attorneys experience in both Federal and whatever state in which this was made. Artistic Merit is not a perfect defense when the charge is kiddie porn."

Comments?

Hey Angels!

I'm sure the legal aspects of producing this short were well thought out before production started. While it is low budget, the fact remains it is very professional. It would therefore make sense to assume that those involved, take their prospective careers seriously and would not take the chance of any litigation as a result of this film. Then again, show biz is a crazy world.

Cuddles,

--heidilynn

[Guest]

What I don't understand is...

If the diapering was so aweful for her, why would she want to wear diapers as an adult?

I'm not mocking, I really want to understand. I know some of you went through forced diaperings.

I can honestly remember my mind set enough to say that if my mom had said "You're going to wear diapers from now on!!" I'd have had to hold back joy to meek out an "oh, ok, sure".

So how can it be so fine for me, and so horrible for another, yet both want diapers as adults!?

Haw can those of you traumatized by diapers as a child WANT to wear them now?

Me? I never wanted to grow up, growing up was forced on me. So as soon as I was able, I ungrowed up!

[Angela Bauer]

Dear Diapered Witch, Since I was not part of the REDEMPTION creative team, nor have I interviewed Michael Bryson, your guess is as good as mine about every aspect of the film.

Having talked to hundreds of independent film makers all expecting to be Hollywood's next Michael Bay, I venture some guesses here. The whole concept of abuse by way of force diapering and infantilization is so far off the radar outside the AB/DL community, I personally assume either Bryson knows someone who went through exactly this, or found some first hand acounts. Maybe there was a trial? Weird as it seems, behind the MTV edits, there sadly could be a lot of truth. What I do not assume until Bryson tells me different is that someone not connected to AB/DL would make all this up from scratch.

The bulk of your question is: Why would someone forced into diapers return to them later when depressed? Although with the retirement of Mary Ann Hogan, PhD who practiced psychotherapy in St. Louis until about 1996, actually did counsel several people way into diaper use beyond incontinence. During the SpringFling'93 my husband Don and I hosted in Hollywood, Dr. Hogan was flown in by one of her clients. She spent parts of two days interviewing me and all the other women at the convention. Her goal was to write a text book about therapy of several fetish behaviors. After working on it several years, nobody would publish it. That is the closest anyone has come to scientific research into fetish of any kind.

Don's younger sister is a practising psychiatrist in Santa Barbara, CA. The only AB/DL she has met are from our close circle of friends in the Hollywood/Los Angeles area. All of us are at peace with our inner diapered child or diapered lover. None of us have gone to her for counseling or therapy. So is her opinion any more valid that yours?

The first time I saw Redemption on-line this week, I immediately phoned her, then talked her through the links. She consulted one of her friends who specializes in juvenile and adolescent urology. They had viewed the film and called me back on a conference three-way. What the urologist pointed out was that "Younger Girl" did in fact suffer Secondary Nocturnal Euresis, doctor speak for bedwetting after years of being dry. So, when the girl started to suffer Post Traumatic Stress disorder as a result of the auto accident and survivor guilt, bedwetting is a commonly reported symtom. Thus when the girl wet her bed several nights, providing her diapers was not out of line.

Perhaps Mother herself was nuts, and went about sweet talking the girl into using the diapers. Most rational parents would have put a rubber or plastic sheet on the child's bed and relaxed. Then the next step would be an easy to wear discreet pull-up such as GoodNites. Rationally the idea of managing wetting is to sell the patient on owning her own urine. With a kid much over 5 it is possible and ideal to train the kid to change his or her own diapers. Probably parents and medical pros avoid using the diaper word with kids age 5 to 15.

Okay, suppose the girl was not nuts, just slightly mixed up. She knew she wet and she knew she did not want to wet. She wanted to be dry like most kids age 10. She did not know the stats about percentage of girls age 10 who wet, so she would assume she was unique and odd. Then Mother got into serious hitting, not spanking, since we can see Mother is sitting higher than the feet, her body covering the girl's bottom, and the girl is face up. So that part is clearly abuse. Since Mom was bonkers and hated her daughter, her abuse turned to forced baby regression.

None of this means that despite being forced, the girl was not comforted by her diapers, and sometimes enjoyed the pacifier and baby bottle. What the girl hated was being hit in the face, yelled at, diapered by force and violence and then made to be outside with her diaper showing. Combine that with Mother being so stupid she left a S&W .38 Chief's special in her bedside drawer with no safety lock. We also do not know who taught the Younger Girl the FBI 2 handed grip and using both thumbs to cock the hammer.

In most states minor children under the age of 14 cannot be tried for serious crimes. Probably a decent defense attorney would plead any charges against the girl down to spending some quality time re-gaining her bladder control and getting past the several PTSD layers, since the mistreatment by Mom would send many into therapy.

Now it is over 12 years later. Younger Girl is now married to a decent guy, played by Bryson. She went out and bought the closest kind of diapers, paci and bottles she could find. All that treatment of her incontinence did nothing to remove her love of diapers under certain conditions. Nor did it deal with her craving to suckle, a paci or a nipple on a bottle.

The best part of Bryson making this movie is that after seeing it people are thinking about child abuse, firearm safety and just possibly juvenile incontinence. We all here add messages about the AB/DL aspects.

Comments?

What I don't understand is...

If the diapering was so aweful for her, why would she want to wear diapers as an adult?

I'm not mocking, I really want to understand. I know some of you went through forced diaperings.

I can honestly remember my mind set enough to say that if my mom had said "You're going to wear diapers from now on!!" I'd have had to hold back joy to meek out an "oh, ok, sure".

So how can it be so fine for me, and so horrible for another, yet both want diapers as adults!?

Haw can those of you traumatized by diapers as a child WANT to wear them now?

Me? I never wanted to grow up, growing up was forced on me. So as soon as I was able, I ungrowed up!

[mogumbo]

I wasn't going to comment on this thread at all. It hit a little too close to home for my comfort and it's never my intention to wallow in self pity or solicit sympathy from this group (any group for that matter).

for past events that no one can change.

I also hesitate to infer or guess about the creator's intentions. I assume people make movies to stir our own intellect and curiosity.

I was severely emotionally abused as a child and my mother was the source (I forgave her many years ago but the scars remain). Diapers, humiliation and constant ridicule were her tools of choice. . As an adult, I have a love/hate thing going with diapers. On one hand they represent security, safety and an intense need (both physical and emotional). On the other hand, they represent humiliation, shame and fear.

I can certainly relate to the protagonist in the film. Many of the same coping strategies she employs in the film are ones I use everyday.

Certainly a sad film but not unrealistic at all, especially the older girl's need to be babied even though the psychological triggers are largely negative ones.

My humble, twisted opinion only.

Mo