Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Devastating tale of preteen girl facing horrifying trauma.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Blaze
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BLAZE, 12-year-old Blaze (Julia Savage), who lives with her father, Luke (Simon Baker), witnesses the brutal rape and murder of a woman in an alley. Blaze agrees to be a witness at the rapist's trial, but the defense lawyer makes her look naive, and Luke decides to take her out of it. She then begins attempting to process what she saw, retreating into her imagination, which includes a friendship with a pet dragon called Zephy. She even befriends an imaginary version of Hannah (Yael Stone), the woman who died. Blaze has setbacks, as when she sees the rapist free on the street and melts down, and she's in and out of institutions, and on and off medication. But with time, Blaze will find an inner strength she never knew she had.
Is It Any Good?
Tackling its tough subject matter delicately and honestly, this poetic drama deftly uses its wobbly line between reality and imagination to explore rage and grief with compassion and humanity. The debut feature of Australian artist Del Kathryn Barton, Blaze relies heavily on Savage's performance, and the gamble pays off. She's ferocious, pulling off multifaceted work that more experienced performers can only aspire to. When Blaze unleashes her rage or pain, it feels fully released. It's cathartic. Barton gives equal weight to Luke. He's concerned and wants more than anything to help his daughter, but he doesn't know how.
The movie's flights of imagination are amazing, especially the huge practical Zephy puppet, as well as some of the dream spaces, by turns unsettling and dazzling, that Blaze finds herself in. Barton also makes innovative use of cinematic techniques, choosing striking angles and assembling powerhouse montages. Blaze isn't an easy watch, to be sure, but it would have been harder still without Barton's artistic touch. Ultimately, this is a subject better discussed than ignored, and Blaze is a worthy place to start.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Blaze's violence. Did the scenes of sexual assault seem gratuitous, or were they necessary for the story? What's the difference?
What does the therapist mean when she says "healing is not linear"? What does Blaze's path to healing look like?
Why do you think that the sex offender in the story "gets away with it"? What does this say about our society/system?
What's the father-daughter relationship in the movie like? How is it similar to or different from your own relationships?
Do you consider Blaze a role model? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 20, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : January 20, 2023
- Cast : Julia Savage , Simon Baker , Yael Stone
- Director : Del Kathryn Barton
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Gravitas Ventures
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 101 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 15, 2023
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