Watching the film “Sleepwalking” takes insight into the effects a world of abuse can have on a person. In saying that, I should warn viewers that this is serious film that moves slower at some points, but for some reason I was drawn to watch until the very end.

Some would say what happens in this movie is predictable, but maybe that’s because we all know what happens with that kind of abuse.

Nick Stahl plays James, a somewhat immature, slow-minded young man, who is forced to take over the care of his 11-year-old niece, Tara (AnnaSophia Robb, yes, she’s that the cutie from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”) Charlize Theron plays James’ sister Joleen, who after her boyfriend is arrested moves in with James, and later abandons the two with a simple letter explaining she has a plan. What that plan is, we don’t know.

This movie is really about the struggle Tara has with her mother’s abandonment and she and James really kind of grow together in this film. James begins missing work and is fired, and Tara begins missing school. Social services steps in and takes Tara away from James, as he is clearly not suitable to care for a teenager, or barely himself.

James breaks Tara out and the two embark on a journey that will forever change their lives and force both of them to grow up. James takes Tara to his father’s ranch, a place where Joleen had told Tara she would never return to. Dennis Hopper plays James and Joleen’s abusive father.

While I have always been a huge fan of Charlize Theron, and her ability to play darker characters, this movie really wasn’t about her character as much. Theron stepped aside in this movie, actually took part in the production, and let Nick and AnnaSophia shine through. I think AnnaSophia will grow up to be a talented actress (I suppose she already is), but I think this movie showed that even at a tender age, she can really reach down and pull those hard to convey feelings of abuse, loneliness and hate out for everyone to see.

I felt really bad for Nick’s character, and although it was sad to watch what his character was forced to do in the end, it was predictable, and therefore no real surprise or upset for me.

I am warning you before you rent it – it really does take a special kind of audience to enjoy and appreciate the message this movie is trying to convey.