As I mentioned before, the film unfortunately had to cut some scenes so the audience will never know how or why Valerie is the way she is... unless you're reading this! I'm going to reveal to you why she is so cold-hearted toward Ansiedad, Tavita, Shannon etc and perhaps after knowing her reasons you can find sympathy for her... maybe even some empathy. I love Valerie and she deserves an explanation since she wasn't really given one on screen, so I'm here in her defense. :)
Valerie is more real than you think! In the final production of the film, I can see where she comes across as a cliche, wishy-washy bad girl. The script was phenomenal but the things you find important sometimes don't make the cut. As an actor, you always want your character to have the most establishment possible.
Valerie was brought up by a very wealthy family and was allowed to do what she wanted, when she wanted to. Her parents eventually divorced as her father had been cheating on her mother with another woman. You may notice how similar this is to Grace and Dr. Harford's situation.
Valerie's mom received a large settlement and her father's luxury Cadillac. Valerie hates the car, not only because it was the very place that father was caught cheating but because Valerie's mom cares more about the car than her own daughter. Valerie describes the car as "my mother's pride". In this scene, Valerie shows her vulnerable side to Ansiedad - something the audience never sees.
The attention seeking, the rebellion, the bullying and the drinking is all an escape for Valerie. It's the only way she can make herself feel better and forget about her life at home with a mom who just doesn't care (sound familiar?) More often than not, real life bullies have their own issues that they refuse to properly deal with which is why they pick on others.
Valerie had been trying to get Trevor's "attention" long before Ansiedad came into the picture. In one of the final scenes she was hurt, angry and confused as to why it all came so easily to Ansiedad and not to her. Valerie was let down yet again.
I don't want to spoil the ending but if you've seen it you'll know what I mean.
Speaking of Trevor, let's just say Valerie got what she wanted in the end! ♥ (another great thing you'll never see)
Valerie and Ansiedad were more alike than any two characters. Their absent mothers, their neediness for affection, approval and attention from their mothers. They both lack something at home and they try desperately to make up for it in other ways. We never get to see Valerie open up in the film and we'll never know if her and her mother are lucky enough to end up like Ansiedad and Grace but I hope after reading this you can understand her a little better.
Girl in Progress is in theaters now - go see it!
Brenna
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