To Write Love On Her Arms Parent Guide

It all began at a Halloween party. Okay, not all of it. Somewhere between her fanciful childhood and rebellious teenaged years, Renee Yohe (Kat Dennings) learned fairytales weren’t real and her own desires for happily-ever-after were challenged by mental illness. However, that fateful celebration in October appears to be the day she surrendered her dreams.

The invitation came from Sean (William Peltz), one of the most popular guys in the school. Despite concerns from her best friends Dylan and Jessie (Mark Saul and Juliana Harkavy), Renee persuades them to attend. It doesn’t take long for the drinking and sensual dancing to convince her somewhat conservative chums to head home. Yet Renee is too intoxicated to go with them - partly from Sean’s attention, but mostly from whatever it was she sipped out of the cup he gave her.

From that moment on Renee only seems interested in getting high. Her social circle shifts (which is depicted through a clever montage sequence of ever-changing hairdos, clothing styles and acquaintances) to an increasingly darker cluster of users and pushers who pass around cigarettes, alcohol and illegal drugs (including cocaine). There is nothing glamorous about her new buddies or the crack houses where she hangs out, yet she can’t stay away from them. Or at least not until an older dealer (J. LaRose) decides to collect payment from the stoned girl by taking Renee to a private place and raping her. (We hear her muffled protest from outside the bedroom door.) Desperate after this event, Renee finally calls for help.

Although Dylan and Jessie come to collect her, they really aren’t sure what they can do for their former schoolmate. So they introduce her to David McKenna (Rupert Friend), a recovering addict who gives motivational lectures. He in turn takes Renee to Conrad Willard (Rus Blackwell), the director of a rehab center. Unfortunately, Conrad refuses to enroll Renee in treatment for at least five days. The two reasons he gives are that she needs to detoxify before they can assist her and she has to stop cutting herself—a long-term behavior he discovered during his interview with Renee. (Her self-harming is portrayed, sometimes with blood, numerous times through out the movie. There is also evidence on her arms of old scars and the glimpse of a fresh wound that spells out a sexual expletive.)

With no other alternatives, McKenna agrees to take Renee back to his house for the prerequisite withdrawal period. He also enlists Dylan and Jessie’s support with providing around-the-clock supervision, hiding all sharp objects, and buying snacks, cigarettes and coffee to substitute for drug cravings.

It is during this difficult time that Renee meets McKenna’s part-time flat mate Jamie Tworkowski (Chad Michael Murray). He feels an unusual curiosity about the young woman who has a passion for art and music. Seeing her efforts to overcome her demons as heroic and courageous, Jamie asks Renee if he can write and share her story. Little does either of them know how much their lives will change when she gives her permission.

Jamie Tworkowski’s account proved so compelling it inspired the movement To Write Love On Her Arms, a charitable group dedicated to assisting other lost souls find the help they need to overcome addictions and depression. It is also the text upon which this movie is based. And the two projects support each other because part of the film’s net proceeds will be donated to the TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS Non-Profit Organization.

Although the intent of this project is worthy, families considering watching it with their teens need to be aware that the production contains some disturbing content, such as self-mutilation with blood effects, detailed substance abuse and rape (implied but not shown). Scatological slang is frequently used, along with a few other profanities and a crude finger gesture. And characters contemplate revenge and engage in vandalism.

Yet at no time are these actions glamorized. Instead the movie presents a cautionary tale that provides a compassionate message for those with experiences similar to the main character. By adding artistic flourishes, computer imagery and popular songs to the telling of Renee Yohe’s life, the filmmakers have been able to creatively convey a sense of her internal turmoil. As well, the plot does not succumb to unrealistic happy endings. The struggle for sobriety is a path, not just a desired destination. Yet, while pain is real, so is hope. And there is no greater cause than to fight—and hope—for the chance of a better life.

About author

Donna Gustafson

Donna Gustafson has been involved with her husband Rod's work since the beginning. Handling many of the behind-the-scenes tasks, she also creates preview pages for up-coming movies, acts as managing editor and occasionally writes reviews.