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Jan 09, 2014 By Austin Trunick Web Exclusive

Emanuel is a melancholy 17-year-old, persistently haunted by the death of her mother, whom she herself blames for killing during childbirth. Raised by her doting father (Alfred Molina) and stepmother (Frances O’Connor), the young woman’s demeanor only begins to turn around once she takes on a babysitting job for single mother Linda (Jessica Biel), a woman who resembles Emanuel’s deceased parent, and hides a dark secret of her own.

It’s necessary that none of filmmaker Francesca Gregorini’s strange, creepy The Truth About Emanuel be spoiled for the viewer going in; though its twist comes early, the payoff has a surprisingly strong emotional impact. The film’s best performance comes from Kaya Scodelario, who plays the troubled Emanuel; the young actress lends the part considerable depth, which is welcome in a role which could have easily been the same moody teen we’ll see in four out of every five movies.

www.thetruthaboutemanuel.com

Author rating: 7/10