There are some films that have commercial success regardless of whether they are decent or not, and then there are smaller films, with a lesser budget and an independent film company behind it, left undiscovered, like hidden gems, that actually deserve much more praise - Trust is one of these films.
Directed by former Friends star David Schwimmer, this story begins as light-hearted and optimistic as the headspace of a thriteen-year-old girl should be, thinking about her new school and making new friends. Played by 16-year-old American actress Liana Liberato, she portrays the fresh innocence of youth well, not too cheesy to deter you from her character Annie, just sweet enough to draw you into her story.
What could possibly go wrong for this girl? How does the story of this young teenager beginning new chapters in her life become so twisted and tragic? This is the intrigue that sustains your attention as a viewer and Schwimmer has done a remarkable job steadily developing this difficult story so you understand how the beginning situation of Annie leads to her life-shattering incident.
Annie forms a relationship with a man online who at first, states that he is 15, then reveals later that he lied about his age saying that he is older. The man continues to lie and although Annie realises she is in an unsettling situation she can't help but also feel connected to this cyber 'soul mate' which creates the complexity within this character that Liana portrays so convincingly. This is where the tragedy of this story is truly sourced as after Annie meets this man and is assaulted by him, she is left confused of whether he took advantage of her or that she wanted him to.
Annie felt that she had complied willingly when with this man and so was it assault? Although legally as a minor this is what the act is classified as, her obscured perception of her willingness blurs the lines of the incident certainly for her and her Dad at one point, played by Clive Owen, who struggles to deal with the situation understandably.
Clive Owen succeeded my expectations in this film I think having acted his best role here to date. His portrayal of a broken father, numbed by fury at this unidentified man, unable to comfort his daughter in anyway is so effective to watch. The star of this film however has to be Liana. Her portrayal of Annie's sudden transition into wicked moods and an often callous state of being, then contrasted with a burst of exploding, horrified emotion near the end of the film is amazing to watch, especially coming from such a young talent. She deserved Oscar recognition this year, but regardless the girl will go far.
By the end of the film, there is no solid conclusion but that is obviously intentional as sadly this is the result of most of these situations in reality. The sex offender is not caught but suggestion of him as more normal and unassuming then you would think at the end adds to the heightened sense of danger in the world.
Trust is a difficult but compelling watch, a true gem of film. I'm just glad these performances didn't fall by the wayside for me as it has for so many others.
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