outstanding film deal with a 16 year old who try to bring stability to a totally dysfunctional family . there be a truly outstanding performance by anne heche a the dysfunctional mother who neglect her child to lead a most disgusting life in pursuit of a good time . heche be ably support by diane ladd and a religious woman who can quote the bible but could not control her rebellious daughter . the film deal with how a sharp 16 year old have to learn to play the system to keep her brother together . bright and perceptive and unfortunately victimize by a sick mother and kristen bell give a splendid performance . i enjoy the part where she meet a black young man who become her boyfriend . nothing be make of the inter racial relationship nor the fact that the young man have a black father and white mother . this film show that a court system can work to the advantage of it victim .