Tuesday - Movies
The Age
Thursday March 6, 2008
She's Too Young (2004)
Channel Seven, noonJuno may have rightly stolen all the recent headlines and awards for movies about teen sex, but here is an unassuming little telemovie about a bright and sassy 14-year-old, Hannah (Alexis Dziena), who falls for an older student. Hannah's mother, ostensibly concerned about sexually transmitted diseases, begins to make life difficult for herself and her daughter in their small community by speaking out. Unfortunately, actress Dziena, who can be seen in the movie Fool's Gold, was 19 when she made the film. This American habit of casting way above actual age is not only annoying to those who like verisimilitude in their movies, it has the perverse effect of over-sexualising teen characters. A 14-year-old does not look, think or act like a 19-year-old, and you can see that in Juno, where even the most ardent fans acknowledge Juno is way too smart and world-wise for her age. Not surprising given actress Ellen Page was 19, not 16. In Juno it is a small complaint, but She's Too Young reminds us how Hollywood can take an important topic such as teen sexuality and treat it way too cavalierly. -- SCOTT MURRAY
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