Girl in the Picture
By Sabrina McFarland,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Child abduction docu reveals dangers and secrets; violence.
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Girl in the Picture
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What's the Story?
GIRL IN THE PICTURE is a documentary based on author Matt Birkbeck's books A Beautiful Child and Finding Sharon. The story is about the 1990 murder of a 20-year-old woman and the twists-and-turns investigation to find her true identity. Through event reenactments, archival audio, footage, and photos, and firsthand interviews, the film shows the determination by law enforcement officials and others to answer the decades-old question: Who really is this woman and what ever happened to her son?
Is It Any Good?
This film marks another concisely crafted form of cinema by director Skye Borgman (Abducted in Plain Sight) about the shocking subject of child abuse. In Girl in the Picture, a kid who aspires to become an aerospace engineer is raised by her single-parent household dad in America. "She was just super smart," recalls one of the girl's friends. "We all had big hair and crazy clothes. It was just your normal 1980s high school kind of vibe."
Soon suspicions, though, are raised by friends about the teen's real identity and relationship with her father. Then, suddenly, the pair disappear from their home. The daughter is later asked by her parent to provide income for their existence by committing sexual acts. "I can't imagine," says Joe Fitzpatrick, an FBI special agent, "anybody being under those conditions for that long period of time." Girl in the Picture's on-screen duration can be a disturbing one. But, the documentary is decidedly an invaluable tool that might prove helpful to teens about the hidden dangers one may face while growing up and ways to possibly prevent such events from ever taking place.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the courage of the missing woman in Girl in the Picture. How does she also demonstrate perseverance? Why are these important character strengths?
How do law enforcement officials and the woman's friends share communication and teamwork? In what ways do the investigative tools used in the case today differ from 30 years ago?
Does the filmmaker present a fair portrait of the events? Why, or why not? What do you think of the investigation's final outcome?
Families can also talk about abuse and sexual violence and the way it's addressed in the film. Why is it important to talk about this topic, especially if you're worried about a friend or family member? Note: If you or someone you know has experienced abuse and sexual violence, information and resources are available at wannatalkaboutit.com.
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: July 6, 2022
- Cast: Merle Bean , Joe Fitzpatrick , Ashley Rodriquez
- Director: Skye Borgman
- Inclusion Information: Female actors, Latino actors
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Activism , Great Boy Role Models , Great Girl Role Models , History
- Character Strengths: Communication , Courage , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Run time: 102 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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