People are voting emotionally.

Let's be realistic.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

Kate (Maria Bello) and Bill (Michael Sheen) are a struggling couple who are sleeping in separate rooms. He's looking at apartments while she still hopes to save the marriage with the next family vacation. Their son Sammy (Kyle Gallner) is away at college. He's miserable and he goes on a shooting spree killing himself and many others. The onslaught of media forces them to stay with her brother Eric (Alan Tudyk) and his wife Trish (Moon Bloodgood).Bello and Sheen are using all their acting skills to drive this movie. The movie strips away all the power. The shooting takes place off screen. The movie doesn't allow Sammy to explain his actions. Kyle Gallner just doesn't have much screen time. It's all about the parents struggle to find meaning. It's a movie of misery. It's admirable but it grinds down the audience with its unrelenting bleakness.

This is a film about the parents of a teenager being responsible for a school massacre. It's not about the violence, but about the nightmare it is to be the parents of what has been a nice boy, doing atrocities.This film is about coping, about dealing with something that can't be undone, about getting through, about reconciliation, about trying to move on. and it succeeds well. but don't expect this to be a drama filled with excitement. this is made give bot expressions and hope. It's a love story, and an unusual one, about surviving the impossible.Maria Bello and Michael Sheen does another great acting job here. I'm not too fond of the clipping technique or the camera movements here. But it doesn't ruin the storytelling. when the film takes an unexpected turn, it adds to the reality of it. It's not easy what they are going through. We follow the reactions, the realization and the up-waking from the sorrow.Very realistically told I guess in every aspect, and interesting as it's just seen from the parent's point of view. That is both interesting and important, as this is rarely a view of such a case which we rarely think about and experience. In a way this film both gives us the feeling, and an impression of there still being hope even after an unspeakable tragedy like this.Meat Loaf is turning up in a y role as a motel clerk.

I saw a quick preview of this film and instantly bought it. I had never seen a film made in the perspective of a shooter's parents before and i was wondering how it would be made. I think that this film was well-made. Nothing to jump off the roof about, but definitely not a cringer either. What i enjoyed most was watching the dynamic of the about to split up couple go through it's ups and downs--it was VERY realistic and i appreciated that touch there. Although, i would've been happier to know more of the details about the shooting and why the son did it--but i guess just like in real life, you never really know why mass shooter's do these things. You just be a good parent and hope for the best. I enjoyed the heart in this film.

This is a very thought provoking film. The performances by Michael Sheen and Maria Bello are moving. The chemistry between the two actors is very believable. The grieving process was honestly portrayed. The emotional journey makes you want to see some healing occur for this couple. I loved that the violence was not the focus of this film. This is a story about two people who lose their only son who clearly love him. In the end, whether the son committed a terrible act of violence or not, it's about picking up the pieces and trying to heal. It was wonderfully revealed how ugly and destructive hate is without being preachy. Tissues are needed to watch this one.