Trust

In this intense and emotionally-charged drama from director David Schwimmer, Clive Owen stars as successful family man, Will, who has a loving wife (Catherine Keener) and a perfect family.  Until one day, his daughter Annie (Liana Liberato) innocently enough strikes up a friendship in an online chat group and becomes prey to an internet stalker. While her parents cope with the tormenting aftermath of the attack, Annie must face the talk of her peers at school and help the authorities hunt down the man who raped her.  But can Will piece his family back together - and learn to trust his daughter again - without letting his rage consume him?  Having tackled comedy in his last big-screen directing effort (2007's Run, Fatboy, Run), Schwimmer now explores the terrifying and still very relevant topic of online sexual predators.  Owen is at his best here as a father at his wit's end who feels like he doesn't know his daughter anymore, and his grief and frustration are palpable.  Likewise, Keener brings to the role of Annie's mother what she brings to every role - a reliably refreshing dose of realism, from the way she talks about her oldest son going off to college, to the way she carries a seemingly ordinary conversation with Annie about establishing her self-worth.  And newcomer Liberato holds her own well amongst these Hollywood heavies as she perfectly portrays an angry, confused, and deluded teenage girl.  Trust is a harrowing look at the destruction of youthful innocence and the perils of technology in today's modern computer age.  There's a newfound sense of hope and understanding at the end, but you secretly pray that you never have to experience this devastation yourself to come to such a gritty realization.

4 out of 5 stars