The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (2013) - Tillman Jr. directs under-appreciated social realism gold

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Two boys in an urban landscape with looming, oversized adults hovering around make up this poster for George Tillman Jr.'s The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete

Mister has to take the 8th grade again, but he gets a larger problem this summer, when his mother, who is a heroin-addicted prostitute, is removed from his life, and he does his best to survive, along with his friend from the hood, Pete.

 

The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete is written by Michael Starrbury (When They See Us (2019, miniseries)) and co-produced and directed by Wisconsinite master filmmaker George Tillman Jr. (Scenes for the Soul (1995)), whose 6th feature it is.

The film is a kind of modern Oliver Twist, though without a Fagin (the Dickens' novel's iconic villain.) Instead the fault for the childhood misery laid out here, - at least as grueling as in that 19th century, London-set novel, - is shared by many characters and a society at large, which despite incredible wealth allows itself to abandon children in dire circumstances. Another obvious comparison would be to Lee Daniels' Precious (2009), but unlike that great drama, The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete has no escapist insert montages but rather remains at all times in the present predicament of its two boy protagonists. When they meet hunger, addiction and rows of disappointments, it could have made the film unbearable, - and it is completely engulfing to be sure, - but the charisma and drive of the Mister character, and the way he manages so bravely keep himself above water ultimately makes the journey bearable and ultimately deeply moving. Skylan Brooks (Empire (2018-20)) is tremendous in the role, while the precocious Ethan Dizon (Avengers: Infinity War (2018)) as Pete gives one of those kinds of child performances, which is in no way faultless or seamless but is nevertheless priceless, because Dizon puts all of his wonderful being so forcefully into the work. The two are supported by Jennifer Hudson (Sing (2016)), outstanding as Mister's mother, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Wetlands (2017)) as the tough cop, who shares the film's golden nugget lines in a teary scene, and The Wire's Julito McCullum (Will You Marry Me (2024)) as a mean kid from the block.

This is an angry film about the failures of the projects, - both internally and as they relate to the surrounding urban centers and the country. The score (by Mark Isham (Blacklight (2022)) and Alicia Keys (The Secret Life of Bees (2008, actress))) is engaged and well-made, and the direction is a role-model. The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete is a humbling film.

 

Related posts:

George Tillman Jr.: 2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III]
2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]
2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]
2010 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess  

Faster (2010) - Tillman Jr., the Gayton brothers and Johnson sculpt a fantastic action movie 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: Reportedly 3 mil. $

Box office: 506k $

= Box office disaster (returned 0.16 times its cost)

[The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete premiered 25 January (Sundance Film Festival) and runs 108 minutes. Shooting took place from July - August 2012 in New York. The film opened #24 to a 254k $ first weekend in 147 theaters in North America, its peak in the market, where it grossed 496k $ (98 % of the total gross). Its only other recorded market was South Africa. The-Numbers.com estimates that the film also made 330k $ on the domestic home video market. It was nominated for an Independent Spirit award. Tillman Jr. returned with The Longest Ride (2015). Brooks returned in Oliver, Stoned. (2014); Dizon in Sullivan & Son (2013, TV-series) and theatrically in Bad Words (2013). The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete is fresh at 84 % with a 6.90/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete?

In a Valley of Violence (2016) - West defeated in the West

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The two stars, in traditional western getup, look about ready to shoot each other to death on this poster for Ti West's In a Valley of Violence

A soldier who has possibly deserted from the army, is on his way to Mexico and makes a stop in the small town Denton, where the local Marshall's braindead son bothers him to such a degree that he ends up staying there.

 

In a Valley of Violence is written, directed and edited by Ti West (The Roost (2005)).

He attempts a western in Sergio Leone style here, but the result is more of a dull-brained pastiche than a staggering homage. Ethan Hawke (Training Day (2001)) is miscast as the protagonist, who loses his dog and murders freely as revenge, not unlike Keanu Reeves in the popular present day-set John Wick (2014). But where Reeves in that film seems a cool and justified avenger, Hawke at times here is risible, and generally a hard-to-justify postulate. Furthermore it is hard to grasp what makes the charming Taissa Farmiga (The Mule (2018)) fall for him here.

West adds brutality and blood, but that doesn't elevate the level for this poor western, which does have John Travolta's (Lucky Numbers (2000)) Marshall going for it. Best here is the score (by Jeff Grace (The Artist's Wife (2019))), Ennio Morricone inspired but with modern edges.

 

Related posts:

Ti West: V/H/S (2012) - Energetic, periodically intensely creepy if flawed found footage horror anthology (segment writer-director)  

The House of the Devil (2009) - West's energetic, scary throwback period horror 

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: Unknown, projected 10 mil. $

Box office: 61k $

= Box office disaster (returned 0.006 times its cost)

[In a Valley of Violence premiered 12 March (South by Southwest Film Festival) and runs 99 minutes. Shooting took place on film from June - July 2014 in New Mexico. The film opened #58 to a 29k $ first weekend in 33 theaters in North America, where it only played one more weekend, grossing 61k $. The film's only other release market (despite festival screenings) was Mexico, where the gross result went unreported. The-numbers.com asserts that the film additionally made 1.5 mil. $ on the domestic home video market. West returned with 8 TV-series prior to his theatrical return with X (2022). Hawke returned in The Phenom (2016); Travolta in American Crime Story (2016, TV-series) and theatrically in I Am Wrath (2016). In a Valley of Violence is certified fresh at 78 % with a 6.80/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

 

What do you think of In a Valley of Violence? 

Inferno (2016) - Howard's third Langdon adventure is among the year's worst films

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Star Tom Hanks and co-star Felicity Jones run around in a European city and look concerned on this poster for Ron Howard's Inferno

Robert Langdon awakes disillusioned and tormented by visions of Biblical plagues in Florence, Italy, where a young British woman helps him gather answers concerning a mysterious virus that he may be a carrier of.

 

Inferno is written by David Koepp (Premium Rush (2012)), adapting the same-titled 2013 novel by Dan Brown (Angels & Demons (2000)), and directed by great Oklahoman filmmaker Ron Howard (Grand Theft Auto (1977)). It is the 3rd and last in the Robert Langdon series also consisting of The Da Vinci Code (2006) and Angels & Demons (2009).

Koepp has provided a lazy and wretched script, maybe the low-point of his career, and this film may be the low-point for several of those involved. Inferno is related in what feels like a barrage of speedily edited, flashing shots that implies actual knowledge by throwing Dante and beautiful historical sights into its nonsensical plot. Confusing, boring and marked by mitigating work from no-one, the film never finds a good pace and has inserted, dull, explanatory dialogs again and again.

Tom Hanks (The Post (2017)) appears to be in pain and also resembles a superstar who knows he is in some real junk, but goes through with it still - for a hefty paycheck, and a bit of loyalty to his partners in crime. The other cast members often combat stilted dialog, and Felicity Jones (A Monster Calls (2016)), just as in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), doesn't show what exactly made her get cast in these mega-movies, (her career understandably fizzed out following both films.)

 

Related posts:

 

Ron Howard: Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) - Disney, Howard and Co. drive expensive stick through beloved franchise 

Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel (2011) - Stapleton's Corman doc. is among the year's best films (interview subject)

2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED III] 

2008 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II] 
2008 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]
2008 in films - according to Film Excess
Frost/Nixon (2008) - Howard's political drama is gripping, superiorly acted 
The Da Vinci Code (2006) - Howard's first Brown adaptation is a popcorn thriller hoot  

2001 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess 
Top 10: The best biopic movies reviewed by Film Excess to date 
A Beautiful Mind (2001) - John Nash given the Epic Treatment  
EDtv (1999) - Phenomenal cast shine in Howard's witty mega-flop

Far and Away (1992) - Howard, Hollywood's sweethearts visit the old West with dull result (co-writer/director) 
Backdraft (1991) - Howard's giant, stupid Chicago-set firefighter movie 

Grand Theft Auto (1977) or, Crash Bam Boom! 
American Graffiti (1973) or, Cruisin' Modesto '62 (actor)   

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 75 mil. $

Box office: 220 mil. $

= Box office success (returned 2.93 times its cost)

[Inferno premiered 8 October (Florence, Italy) and runs 121 minutes. Hanks reportedly earned 25 mil. $ from his performance in the film. Shooting took place from April - July 2015 in Istanbul, Turkey, Italy and Hungary, including in Budapest. The film opened #2, behind Boo! A Madea Halloween, to a 14.8 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it spent one more weekend in the top 5 (#5), grossing 34.3 mil. $ (15.6 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were China with 19.3 mil. $ (8.8 %) and Japan with 14.4 mil. $ (6.5 %). Howard returned with Genius (2017, TV-series) and theatrically with Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018). Hanks returned in The Circle (2017). Inferno is rotten at 23 % with a 4.60/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

 

What do you think of Inferno? 

In the Blood/I Blodet (2016) - Youth in Copenhagen captured in striking debut

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Young, nearly adult characters superimposed on the pleasant poster for Rasmus Heisterberg's In the Blood

Simon is a young student of medicine, who shares a flat with several other young friends and parties abundantly. He and his best friend Knud also have a plan for a longer stay in Bolivia.

 

In the Blood is written and directed by debuting Rasmus Heisterberg (King's Game/Kongekabale (2004)). The title is a literal translation of the original Danish one.

Exceptionally fine photography (by Niels Thastum (Exit Plan/Selvmordsturisten (2019))) roots our situation of being observing outsiders to an intimate portrayal of youth here, heightening this very Copenhagen film. What it portrays is the intoxicating, anxiety-provoking time as a free person; that time which for most people seems to have lasted too shortly (in hindsight).

The acting, if not flawless, is good throughout. At one point I tired some with the drinking obsessed, low brow friends, (why couldn't they have been a bit more differentiated, charming, funny?), SPOILER and then the film develops a bit anticlimactically, since Bolivia never happens. As so often happens, the 'small story' is chosen over the larger one, in a Danish picture. In the Blood, as also habitually happens, was overly celebrated locally, but is still a good movie.

 

Related posts:

 

Rasmus Heisterberg: Department Q: The Absent One/The Absent One/Fasandræberne (2014) - Nørgaard's second Q movie picks up some slack (co-writer)

Northwest/Nordvest (2013) - Strong performances make Noer's underwritten crime thriller work (co-writer)

Truth About Men/Sandheden om Mænd (2010) - Arcel's witty meta-dramedy (co-writer)

Cecilie (2007) - Well-made but unoriginal Danish horror (co-writer) 

Fighter (2007) - Arthy makes good youth drama with propulsive kung fu (co-writer) 

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: Unknown, projected 1.46 mil. $ (10 mil. DKK)

Box office: Approximately 529k $

= Box office disaster (projected return of 0.05 times its cost)

[In the Blood premiered 10 September (Toronto International Film Festival) and runs 104 minutes. Shooting took place in Denmark, including in Copenhagen, in Germany and Thailand. The film sold only 6,006 tickets in Denmark, the only market in which it had a general release. It was also screened at 8 festivals. If made on a realistic first feature low budget of 10 mil. DKK, the film would rank as a box office disaster. It was nominated for 8 Robert awards (Denmark's Oscar), winning one. Heisterberg has not returned as a director since and has taken a long break from films in fact; though he is finally returning as co-writer on Joshua Oppenheimer's hotly anticipated The End (2024). Kristoffer Bech (Stjernestøv (2020, TV-series)) returned in Hjertestart (2017); Elliott Crosset Hove (Before the Frost/Før Frosten (2018)) in Across the Waters/Across the Waters (2016). 746 IMDb users have given In the Blood a 6.0/10 average rating.]

 

What do you think of In the Blood? 

Indignation (2016) - Sympathetic if muted Schamus debut

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Two very nice-looking you co-stars seated in a window sill is the unexceptional motif on this poster for James Schamus' Indignation

Marcus is a Jewish boy from New Jersey, a top student with an ambitious mother and a father who is a butcher, and he falls for a different type of girl, when he goes to college in Ohio...

Indignation is written, co-produced and directed by debuting James Schamus (The Ice Storm (1997, writer)), adapting the same-titled 2008 novel by Philip Roth (American Pastoral (1997)).

It is a well-acted portrait of the tightly wound America of the 1950s, at the cusp of change, with a thematic core about the relationship between Christianity and atheism, about the individual's right to its own story and perceptions, - and to attempt to convince others of their beliefs.

Logan Lerman (The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)) and Sarah Gadon (Black Bear (2020)) are good and palatable as the precocious young couple. Tracy Letts (Eric Larue (2023)) is excellent in a supporting part as a Conservative dean. Linda Emond (Only Murders in the Building (2023, TV-series)) as Marcus' mother is also terrific. Schamus succeeds in making the longer, dialog-based scenes vivid and thrilling. SPOILER The ending is somewhat confusing and unresolved: He soon after perishes in the Korean War, while she lives for decades...? Too many balances are cut out, and the title's indignation is never felt. - What here is supposed to leave us indignant? On whose behalf? The young man's, I presume, who is kicked out of college for being himself and not go to church, and therefore sent to war, but the film, - at least from a Christian perspective, - mostly merely portrays a less desirable time.

 

Related posts:

 

James Schamus: The 2000s in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess
2007 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]
2007 in films - according to Film Excess [UPDATED I]  

Lust, Caution/色，戒/Sè, Jiè/Sik1Gaai3 (2007) - Lee's erotic spy thriller is an exquisite, complex masterpiece (co-writer) 

2003 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess [UPDATED II]  

Hulk (2003) - Lee's fantastic comics adaptation drama (co-writer) 

The Ice Storm (1997) - Lee makes one of the year's great American films (writer)

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: Unknown

Box office: 3.9 mil. $

= Uncertain but likely a mega-flop (projected return of 0.39 times its cost)

[Indignation premiered 24 January (Sundance Film Festival) and runs 111 minutes. Shooting took place from June - July 2015 in New York in just 25 days on a reportedly low budget, here projected at 10 mil. $. The film opened #34 to a 93k $ first weekend in 4 theaters in North America, where it peaked at #16 and in 317 theaters (different weeks), grossing 3.4 mil. $ (87.1 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were Brazil with 72k $ (1.8 %) and the UK with 54k $ (1.4 %). Schamus returned with a short for 30/30 Vision: 3 Decades of Strand Releasing (2019, anthology) and is hoping to return theatrically with College Republicans. Lerman returned in The Vanishing of Sidney Hall (2017); Gadon in 11.22.63 (2016, miniseries) and theatrically in The 9th Life of Louis Drax (2016). Indignation is certified fresh at 81 % with a 7.20/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of Indignation?

The Indian in the Cupboard (1995) - Oz and Mathison create profound family magic

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A pintsized Indian stands erect in a boy's hand palms on this imagination-teasing poster for Frank Oz's The Indian in the Cupboard

Omri is a boy who lives with his parents and two brothers in New York, and at his ninth birthday he receives a cupboard with magic properties: It turns a plastic Indian toy into a real, live, miniature Indian!

The Indian in the Cupboard is written by Melissa Mathison (The Black Stallion (1979)), adapting the same-titled 1980 children's novel by Lynne Reid Banks (Bad Cat, Good Cat (2011)), and directed by English-born American master filmmaker Frank Oz (The Dark Crystal (1982)), whose 7th feature it is.

An imaginative, fantastical story, perfectly adapted by glorious Mathison and directed impeccably by Oz in what is likely his best picture. The Indian in the Cupboard is irresistible.

The actors portraying the family and the child actors are natural, and Hal Scardino (Searching for Bobby Fischer (1993)) as Omri is enormously good, especially his whispering intonations to his 'creations'. Litefoot (Adaptation. (2002)) as the Indian, David Keith's (Heritage Falls (2016)) cowboy and Steve Coogan (The Lost King (2022)) as a World War I medic are all outstanding. The film is well-acted all the way around, elegant and shot (by Russell Carpenter (Avatar: The Way of Water (2022))) and scored (by Randy Edelman (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008))) without ostentation. The narrative tickles our conventional expectations and instead gives us a deep tale (not unlike Harold Ramis' comedy masterpiece Groundhog Day (1993)) with themes of childhood, respect for life, racism and death. The Indian in the Cupboard is moving and unique.

 

Related posts:

Frank Oz:  Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) - Despite stale romance and Anakin, Episode II excites (voice actor)
1999 in films and TV-series - according to Film Excess 

Bowfinger (1999) or, Making Chubby Rain  

In & Out (1997) or, Come Out and Dance 

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 45 mil. $

Box office: In excess of 35.6 mil. $ (North America alone)

= Uncertain but likely a big flop (projected return of 1.22 times its cost)

[The Indian in the Cupboard was released 14 July (North America) and runs 96 minutes. Shooting took place from July - October 1994 in California, including in Los Angeles, and in New York.The film opened #6 to a 7.7 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it grossed 35.6 mil. $. The foreign gross numbers are regrettably kept hidden away somewhere, but a likely projection would be a 55 mil. $ final gross, which would rank the film a big flop. Roger Ebert gave it a 2/4 star review, translating to 4 notches under this one. Oz returned with In & Out (1997). Scardino returned in Marvin's Room (1996). The Indian in the Cupboard is fresh at 70 % with a 6.40/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

What do you think of The Indian in the Cupboard?

Into the Blue (2005) or, Ship Ahoy!

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Two nearly naked young stars look enticing on this poster for John Stockwell's Into the Blue

A broke diver with a boat with holes in it, a lovely girlfriend and big dreams get a visit from an old friend and a girl, and soon the group discover a major drug find in the ocean around the Bahamas.

 

Into the Blue is written by Matt Johnson (Torque (2004)) and directed by John Stockwell (Under Cover (1987)).

If you're gonna watch Into the Blue, it is advisable to leave the plot alone and just enjoy the images of fish and beautiful bodies. Here's the chance to ogle Paul Walker (Timeline (2003)) and Jessica Alba (The Veil (2016)). The film is overlong and narratively messy - a hodgepodge. It is a shame because an artistically interesting or a better action director might have wrung a great film from this premise.

Walker is supposed to be at times unrealistically boyish and often highly vexed at his pal Scott Caan's (Rock the Kasbah (2015)) shenanigans here. Josh Brolin (Avengers: Infinity War (2018)) is a villain as if hired direct from an old bikini b-picture. The many underwater scenes, including action scenes, are often bewildering, because the many characters look identical wearing diving goggles.

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 50 mil. $

Box office: 46.1 mil. $

= Huge flop (returned 0.92 times its cost)

[Into the Blue premiered 21 September (Los Angeles) and runs 110 minutes. Walker was paid 8.5 mil. $ for his performance in the film. Shooting took place from January - March 2004 in Florida, the Cayman Islands and in the Bahamas. The film opened #5 (during Hurricane Katrina), behind holdover hit Flightplan, fellow new release Serendipity and holdover hits Corpse Bride and A History of Violence, to a 7 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it left the top 5 in its 2nd weekend and grossed 18.8 mil. $ (40.8 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 3.1 mil. $ (6.7 %) and Germany with 2.6 mil. $ (5.6 %). Roger Ebert gave the film a 3/4 star review, translating to 2 notches over this one. Stockwell returned with Rocky Point (2005, TV-series) and theatrically with Turistas (2006). Walker returned in Running Scared (2006); Alba in Shawn Desman: Sexy (2005, TV-series) and theatrically in The Ten (2007). Into the Blue is rotten at 21 % with a 4.10/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

 

What do you think of Into the Blue? 

In Her Shoes (2005) - Stars delight in Hanson's terrific romantic dramedy

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A girly, shoe closet-set image of co-stars Toni Collette and Cameron Diaz as recognizably opposite sisters make up this poster for Curtis Hanson's In Her Shoes

When two adult sisters for a short time live together again in the older sister's apartment, it leads to a painful rift between them, whereupon the destitute younger sister seeks out their alienated grandmother.

 

In Her Shoes is written by Susannah Grant (Pocahontas (1995)), adapting the same-titled 2002 novel by Jennifer Weiner (Best Friends Forever (2009)), and directed by great Nevadan filmmaker Curtis Hanson (Sweet Kill (1972)).

Many make harder judgments on In Her Shoes, which cling ungratefully to what it really is, and they should re-watch it. Because, God, there is a lot to love in this film!

Cameron Diaz (Annie (2014)) and Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense (1999)) are both fantastic, moving and empathic. In fact, this may be Diaz's best dramatic performance. Shirley MacLaine (Irma la Douce (1963)) is also fine in the more downplayed part of the grandmother who has become wise with age. Curtis applies the perfect insightfully humanistic direction to the fine story about family break-up, sisterhood and forgiveness. He consequently goes for the drama here but still also manages to create funny situations regularly.

Also delightful in small parts are here Richard Burgi (Rush Hour (2016, TV-series)), Mark Feuerstein (Coyote (2021, TV-series)), Jerry Adler (The Good Fight (2017-18)), Honey Bun the dog and some old geezers. The age span between the characters may be a bit off, but In Her Shoes is a wonderful film.

 

Related post:

 

Curtis Hanson: The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) or, The Nanny Terror! 

 

 

Watch a trailer for the film here

 

Cost: 35 mil. $

Box office: 83.6 mil. $

= Minor flop (returned 2.38 times its cost)

[In Her Shoes premiered 14 September (Toronto International Film Festival) and runs 130 minutes. Diaz was paid 15 mil. $ for her performance in the film. Shooting took place from May 2004 - ? in Florida, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and in California, including in Los Angeles. The film opened #3, behind fellow new release Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit and holdover hit Flightplan, to a 10 mil. $ first weekend in North America, where it spent one more weekend in the top 5 (#5), grossing 32.8 mil. $ (39.2 % of the total gross). The 2nd and 3rd biggest markets were the UK with 7.7 mil. $ (9.2 %) and Germany with 7 mil. $ (8.4 %). The film was nominated for a Golden Globe, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave it a 3.5/4 star review, equal in rating to this one. Hanson returned with Lucky You (2007). Diaz returned in The Holiday (2006); Collette in Little Miss Sunshine (2006); and MacLaine in Rumor Has It... (2005). In Her Shoes is certified fresh at 74 % with a 6.80/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]

 

What do you think of In Her Shoes?