Review:
This 2010 drama directed by Debora Granik, stars Ree, a seventeen year old girl with a drug dealing father who disappears before his court date, leaving her to tend to her mother and two younger siblings. Ree discovers her dad is on bond, has fled the authorities, and that if he misses his court date her family will lose their house. Ree then goes on a search for her dad in order to save her family from losing their home. Despite her bad luck, Ree is persistent and determined to find her father so that she can help her family. Her drug addicted uncle becomes involved and tries to help. Ree is offered a tip by neighbors who lead her to what may be her ticket to survival.

This movie can be used by counselor educators interested in teaching students about family dynamics. In showing this film, counselor educators can facilitate discussion regarding appropriate interventions for the family in the film. Counselors can also strengthen their empathy for afflicted families through watching this film. The movie does a nice job in portraying what it can be like for a teenager to take care of a family when both parents are in some way unable to parent. It shows the effects drug use and mental health issues have on the family unit. This movie is not recommended for counselors to use in their clinical practice with children or adults because of the drug abuse, violence, and language content.