Another TV movie that doesn't really stand out from the crowd, but is quite enjoyable to watch. A typical proposition from the series - "You can watch it when you have nothing better in your plans or you are too tired to fully enjoy the production that is more important to you." Let me add that the script is based on real events, it is an adaptation of the book "Lost Girls" by Robert Kolker.
The story is mainly about the family, which includes Mari's mother (played by Oscar nominee Amy Ryan) and her 3 daughters - Shannan, Sherre and Sara. The mother works hard to provide for the well-being and education of the girls, but is unable to cope. That's why her eldest daughter works as a prostitute and sends her mother money. During one night, 24-year-old Shannan disappears, and a distraught Mari does everything to solve the case. During the investigation, the police find the bodies of 4 girls, which raises reasonable suspicions about a serial killer. Shanna's family meets with members of the other four's family and they decide to fight for the memory of the victims together.
As you can see, this story does not really stand out from a thousand other productions on similar topics. I probably wouldn't have written this text if it wasn't for one thing - Lost Girls shows a reality that is not 0.1. I like to emphasize in some texts that, contrary to the opinions of some people, life and people are not necessarily bad or good. What is absolutely unthinkable for some may be the only or the best possible path for some. When viewed from the side, it is easy to judge from a different perspective or opportunity. Consequently, we often do not see the full picture, do not want to see it, or are unable to understand it. This film (although in a rather standard, non-distinctive way) shows it on several levels - we see the perspective of the media, mother, sisters and families of the other victims. Despite the initial shock of Mari's decisions, we gradually discover, along with our daughters, what drove her at the time of making the decision. As for me, Mari convinced me with her arguments. She was faced with a choice that I would not wish her worst enemy (and, of course, this situation). Knowing the full context, I understand why she did so. Maybe it's because I've seen or heard first-hand about similarly fucked up situations. I have also read about such cases and ... Although sometimes I approach them too hastily, on the other hand I know that such people are very disadvantaged. Either the family, the conditions in which they grew up, or a life that hurt them severely at some point. They can't cope otherwise, so they do what everyone else does - what feels like best. I know, I've written a lot of truisms in this paragraph, but I think sometimes it's worth talking about. As Jordan Peterson once said, these things are so obvious that we often forget them.
Summing up, despite a few advantages and a good presentation of dealing with the painful truth about yourself and your child, I cannot honestly recommend this film. "Lost Girls" is mediocre in all respects, or at best not bad - apart from the main actress, who I could only rate as a school +7/10. Is it wrong? No, it's a film at the TV production level and it would be stupid to expect too much of it. What we got is enough to fill 95 minutes of our life and think about some things. I rate Lost Girls 7/10. I overestimated this assessment a bit, but I appreciate the fact that this is not another production that powders the reality and avoids painful topics. I appreciate it very much, because too many productions do not notice the greyness of life and excessively colorize people who, contrary to appearances, are not but victims.
