Thirteen is a welcome exception to the rule - a smart movie that does not simplify or candy-coat the rigors of the teenage years. Instead, it amplifies them by dealing with characters who are less stable than "average" junior high schoolers. If living the life of a normal teenager is like quietly listening to a song on the radio, then living the life of Thirteen's characters is like listening to that same song, played live in an eardrum-splitting concert. The rhythm, tune, and lyrics are all the same. It's only the intensity, volume, and perhaps the approach that are different. …
