Agnes Bruckner delivers an impressive, assured performance with BLUE CAR, an affecting coming-of-age drama from Karen Moncrieff. Bruckner is Meg, a beautiful teenager who is desperate to find inspiration and guidance in her otherwise tumultuous life. At an early age, her father left her family behind. Now, there is only her edgy mother, Diane (Margaret Colin), and her increasingly aloof younger sister, Lily (Regan Arnold). Salvation appears to arrive in the presence of Mr. Auster (David Strathairn), Meg's reserved English teacher who takes an interest in Meg's poetry. It isn't long before both Meg and Mr. Auster begin to take an interest in each other, and as an approaching national poetry competition brings the two closer together, deeper feelings emerge. But Meg eventually learns a painful secret about Mr. Auster, which shatters her impressions of the man, and threatens to push her over the edge forever.

Moncrieff, a former television actress turned writer-director, turns her potentially formulaic material into ultimately moving entertainment. This can be attributed to the performances of her lead actors. As the conflicted Meg, Bruckner is a perfect blend of budding sexuality and adolescent bitterness. As her damaged teacher, Strathairn is at turns deeply comforting and crushingly evil.

Theatrical release: May 2, 2003 (NY/LA)

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case

Distributor Notes: Blue Car

Featuring the unforgettable performances of sensational newcomer Agnes Bruckner (MURDER BY NUMBERS), David Strathairn (L.A. CONFIDENTIAL), Margaret Colin (UNFAITHFUL), and Frances Fisher (TITANIC), BLUE CAR tells a powerful coming of age story in the provocative style of AMERICAN BEAUTY. Having been abandoned by her father and neglected by her overworked mother (Colin), young Meg (Bruckner) turns to her English teacher (Strathairn) for solace and inspiration. But the safety of what begins as a mentoring relationship turns increasingly complex and ambiguous as the tension in her family grows! Overwhelmingly acclaimed by the nation's critics, this powerful tale of sex and betrayal is certain to leave you with a lasting impression!

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment.

David Strathairn: American stage/film actor, GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
Agnes Bruckner: 
Margaret Colin: American TV/Film Actress
Frances Fisher: American Actress
Regan Arnold: Actor, BLUE CAR (2003)

Karen Moncrieff: 

Peer J. Oppenheimer: 
Amy Sommer: Producer, BLUE CAR (2003)
David Waters: Producer, BLUE CAR (2003)

Karen Moncrieff: 

Adam Gorgoni: 

Toby Yates: 2U DIRECTOR

"...BLUE CAR is a most impressive writing and directing debut for Karen Moncrieff..."
"...Strathairn takes an unsympathetic role and gives it complexity, creating a character that feels chillingly real....BLUE CAR is like an unpolished sapphire, at once harshly realistic and resplendent..."
"...[Bruckner] accomplishes a considerable amount without words, using body language and facial expressions -- including a smile that is as dazzling as it is rare -- to flesh out her character..."
"...First-time director Karen Moncrieff steers the precocious newcomer Bruckner down a road full of twists and turns, and the film is well worth the ride..."