I am glad I saw the movie because it tells such an important story and one that is, sadly, all too familiar. I did not know the story or how it ends and I did find myself looking for redemption at the end. The movie however does not fully redeem it self. The last forty minutes are the best part with some dramatic tension you can feel and make no mistake : Jay Hill and Mary J. Blige portray their characters in THEE most authentic way possible, truly the bright spots in the film. The movie is not very well knit together, it does not flow naturally and does not draw you fully into it like a good movie should. Plainly put, most of the other characters with the exception of an academic advisor( very small role ) and catholic Headmaster mentor are like furniture in the scenes, they may even have some lines but are they in the same movie ? Some great moments of drama in a meandering film which does not make the cut.

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