Watch I Am Elizabeth Smart
- TV-14
- 2017
-
6.3 (1,303)
I Am Elizabeth Smart is a biographical drama film that tells the harrowing true story of Elizabeth Smart, who was abducted from her bedroom in the middle of the night in 2002 when she was just 14 years old. The movie was released in 2017 and was directed by Sarah Walker. The film stars Elizabeth Smart as herself, while Alana Boden portrays her younger self. Skeet Ulrich plays Brian David Mitchell, the man who kidnapped Elizabeth and held her captive for nine months. Other members of the cast include Deirdre Lovejoy as Lois Smart, Elizabeth's mother, and Anne Openshaw as Wanda Barzee, Mitchell's accomplice.
The movie begins with a prologue that shows Elizabeth's life before her abduction. She lives with her parents and four siblings in Utah and is a devout Mormon. Elizabeth is portrayed as a normal teenage girl who loves to play the harp, read books, and spend time with her family. However, her life changes forever when Mitchell, a homeless religious fanatic, breaks into her home and abducts her at knifepoint.
The rest of the movie is a harrowing depiction of Elizabeth's captivity. She is chained up, raped, and abused both physically and mentally by Mitchell and Barzee. The film portrays the horrors she went through while emphasizing her resilience and will to survive. Elizabeth's faith in God and her love for her family helps her to stay strong during her ordeal. However, her hopelessness increases with time and at some point, she even thinks of giving up.
As the movie progresses, we see that Elizabeth is not alone in her suffering. Her mother Lois is shown as a strong and determined woman who never gave up hope of finding her daughter. Lois does everything in her power to bring Elizabeth back home and even becomes an advocate for child abduction awareness.
The movie also depicts the work of the police and the FBI in investigating Elizabeth's case. The plot shows how the authorities initially failed to take Elizabeth's disappearance seriously due to her young age and her family's religious beliefs. However, they eventually realize the gravity of the situation and launch a massive manhunt for their missing teenager.
Overall, I Am Elizabeth Smart is a heart-wrenching and powerful movie that successfully portrays the horror of child abduction and its aftermath. While the movie is deeply disturbing, it is also a testament to the human spirit's strength and perseverance. Elizabeth's bravery, resilience, and hopefulness are incredibly inspiring and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
The film ends on a positive note, with Elizabeth being rescued by the police after nine long months of captivity. The movie's epilogue provides an update on Elizabeth's life after her abduction, including her eventual marriage and the birth of her children. It also highlights her advocacy work in the fight against child abduction and human trafficking.
Overall, I Am Elizabeth Smart is a powerful and emotional film that sheds light on a truly horrific and tragic event. The film's authentic depiction of Elizabeth's story and her bravery is a reminder of the importance of never giving up hope and persevering even in the most challenging of circumstances.
I Am Elizabeth Smart is a 2017 drama. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3.