Watch The Quiet

The Quiet is a dramatic film from 2005 that explores the themes of family dysfunction, sexual abuse, and mental illness. The movie is directed by Jamie Babbit and stars Camilla Belle, Elisha Cuthbert, and Edie Falco in lead roles. The story follows the lives of two teenage girls, Dot (Camilla Belle) and Nina (Elisha Cuthbert), who become roommates in a foster home after their respective families are torn apart. Dot is a deaf-mute girl who is suffering from the trauma of sexual abuse at the hands of her father. Nina, on the other hand, is a popular cheerleader who is hiding a dark secret of her own.

As the two girls get to know each other, they find themselves drawn together by a shared sense of isolation and loneliness. Dot starts to express herself through her art, which Nina encourages, while Nina reveals her true personality to Dot, who accepts her unconditionally.

However, their friendship takes a dark turn when the girls become involved in a love triangle with a handsome football player named Connor (Shawn Ashmore). The situation becomes even more complicated when Nina's sexually abusive father (Martin Donovan) comes back into the picture, threatening to reveal the girls' secrets.

As the tension builds, Dot must use her intuition and powers of observation to protect herself and her friend from danger. This ultimately leads to a shocking revelation that exposes the truth about the girls' pasts and their relationship with each other.

One of the strengths of The Quiet is the way it explores complex issues such as sexual abuse and mental illness with sensitivity and nuance. The movie does not shy away from the dark themes it presents, but at the same time, it avoids being exploitative or gratuitous.

The performances of the cast are another highlight of the film. Camilla Belle delivers a powerful performance as Dot, capturing the pain and isolation of a young girl struggling with trauma and disability. Elisha Cuthbert also shines as Nina, effectively portraying the character's hidden vulnerabilities and inner turmoil.

Edie Falco gives a solid performance as the foster mother who is trying her best to deal with the difficult situations that arise under her care. Shawn Ashmore also provides a strong supporting role as the object of the girls' affections.

In terms of the filmmaking, The Quiet features a muted color palette and restrained cinematography that reflect the mood of the story. The score, composed by Nathan Larson and Craig Wedren, adds an ominous and unsettling quality to the film.

Overall, The Quiet is a thought-provoking film that tackles difficult subject matter with empathy and insight. It is a powerful exploration of the damage caused by sexual abuse and a moving tribute to the resilience of the human spirit.

The Quiet is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 29.