ChanFamous I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

Loui Blair It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

Maleeha Vincent It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Narnia Now As a cutter and one with mental health issues, I have been everything from disenchanted to outright offended by Hollywood portrayals of such conditions for the sole purpose of being entertaining and making money. Most films/shows about mental illnesses (and it's symptoms, like cutting) have done much more harm than good. Self injury remains today one of thee most stigmatized coping behaviors. I experienced the ridicule and shame at school that the main character experiences in this film. That was 24 years ago! In 24 years our culture has hardly moved forward at all. I went all of my adult life as an 'X'cutter..until my past caught up with me. Today I'm an adult cutter. Talk about UNHEARD of! It's not just a teenage thing. It is not uncommon for one with childhood abuse. Here's an example of a misunderstanding that persists from one of the commentators here: "how she acted on her psychotic tendencies to destroy her body". Cutting....is NOT psychotic. Do you know what psychotic means? Totally out of touch with reality. Insane. Episodes that schizophrenics have, or someone who is having a severely manic episode of bipolar. Seeing hallucinations, hearing voices outside your head. Those things are psychotic. But the inability to speak emotions and tolerate them...to the point of having to find an extreme coping mechanism like cutting, is not psychotic, it's resourceful. Down to it: Aside from other comments here from other cutters, which I shall respect as I don't speak for them all. I did not let myself get hung up on the 'quality' of acting...or seek to find fault with small details. I instead appreciated the fact that several myths about self injury were dispelled in this film. 1. Self injury is NOT suicide. In fact, it often prevents one from suicide. 2. It is NOT a ploy for attention. A large majority of SI'ers go out of their way to keep scars hidden. Whether they're personally ashamed of them or not, they know that others will shame them. 3. Self injury is NOT a behavior that one most could stop if they just wanted to badly enough. In fact, it can and does become repetitive. Whether because one actually becomes 'addicted' to a somewhat euphoric after state or...if just because it really does WORK to accomplish jolting one out of dissociated states, distracting from inner pain, letting out of anger...etc. If it works...you'll do it again. As I said, it is resourceful...i.e. useful. Most can and will only stop if other, better resources are made available first. Verbal communication, safe environment to express strong emotions, etc. and facing of the root pain. These are resources that they likely don't have or they wouldn't have started to begin with. So whether you liked the quality of acting or not...or thought the main character here was melodramatic about her immediate response to cutting...is beside the point. The film accomplished something no other has to my knowledge. It raised awareness and dispelled myths....and for that...as a cutter (NOT mutilator please, that's another myth)...I am grateful for any and all accurate information they did give here in this film. Is it short of the mark? Sure. But it's a lot closer. Now maybe someone will come out with one about adult survivors of CSA and show that cutting is not just a teenage thing. Maybe. Til then, I'll keep my sleeves down while I salute the makers of this film for their efforts.

kashishrose This movie was very good but when others think you self harm because you want attention that's not true. i used to self harm, i used to cut myself with a razor blade and knives, for over 11 years just recently last year i stopped cutting myself and feel much better about myself. you don't just do it for attention but you feel you have a lot of pain bottled up inside you, well that's how i used to feel, in a lot of ways i can understand Dawn. i still find that i cope with my pain very difficultly especially when i need to take it out some how. but i'm trying, i've been seeing a psychiatrist and it really did,t help i'm not the kind to talk about my problems especially when you just sit there and stare blankly at a strangers face when they ask you so how do you feel and why do you feel you want to hurt yourself, i used to hate it i didn't like talking about my problems i felt my problems are my own and for me to solve.

laura I began self-injuring at the age of about 5 or 6 and still struggle with it today at age 34. (Although it is mostly under control, the urges are still there and cuts occur maybe once a year now.) For the most part I think the movie did a pretty good job-- but her reactions as she was cutting at times were unrealistic... almost euphoric or even orgasmic.... and the spreading the blood all over the hallway just doesn't happen. I always kept it as contained as possible and was able to keep it a secret for a long time. I did agree with the frantics going on as she was searching for a razor, anything sharp-- I've been there, rushed to the drawer only to find there isn't anything in there to use. You'll find anything you can to make into a tool that'll do the trick.I guess I don't know about others, but the night when she went to that guy's house and let him and all his friends have his way with her.... just also didn't fit. But maybe it did-- just maybe to emphasize the fact that she would inflict pain on herself anyway she could.Another scene that comes to mind-- in the car, with the cigarette lighter. When her parents found her out there doing that, she looked stoned and happy... again, to me was unrealistic. It did bring a great deal of relief when emotional pain was building up, but didn't bring a euphoria to me.... just made me stop my mind-racing and just calm down. But it got to the point where even crazy HAPPY feelings made me want to cut too. Really anytime I had strong emotions I would turn to that instead of trying to express anything.Anyhoooo.... overall a good movie, but as usual a few things seem to have been over-dramatized for effect.

MarieGabrielle The title "Secret Cutting" seems sensationalistic, but it is very real, and based on true case studies Dr. Steven Levenkron (psychiatrist/author who also wrote "The Best Little Girl in the World" - dealing with anorexia) This film is a good example of the positive aspects of a GOOD Lifetime movie, it can inform both parents, friends and teachers as to a reality not everyone wishes to face.Sean Young is very good as an over-protective Mom who wishes the best for her daughter, but doesn't know how to give it- she has been traumatized herself by the accidental death of her infant sister. Kimberlee Peterson portrays the sensitive daughter, who is teased and alienated by classmates, had low self-esteem, and a destructive relationship with her boyfriend.Robert Wisden portrays the father, who lives in denial and feels helpless, although he clearly loves his daughter. It would have been nice to see further character development with his part, as the father daughter issue is sometimes bypassed.Rhea Perlman was surprisingly good as the therapist who eventually works with Peterson on her self-destructive tendencies. Many teens "cut" to remind themselves they are alive, or to feel something, ANYTHING, other than the alienation they live with. Anyone unfamiliar with the subject may think this to be an extreme reaction, but it is very common, instead of drinking, or drugs, some individuals turn to "cutting" as a defense mechanism. This is an important issue which everyone should be aware of. In the film, you see the denial and drive for perfection which results in cutting- Peterson cannot be the popular girl her mother wishes she was, so she cuts herself, as punishment.There is one scene in particular which is very sad. Peterson was involved in a school play, and draws wolves for her art class. After she is hospitalized for another cutting incident, her mother returns home, cleaning her room, and sees the beautiful pictures of the wolves her daughter has drawn. She is overcome with sadness, blaming herself, her bad marriage, and ends up separating from the family; running from the problem. There are no easy answers or trite endings with psychological issues.I will not divulge the ending, but everyone should watch this film- especially in America- where the "popular" issue and peer pressure is so overblown. Will society ever learn? In a country where some mothers compete about cheer leading, kids are killed for being bullies or too popular- the violence seems immeasurable.