The Valley

A film that, at best, seems like one of those cliched life-lesson movies on the Lifetime channel.

As an awareness tool, "The Valley" feels simple-minded. As a drama, it feels exploitative.

Tackling teen suicide in a film requires a deft touch, but "The Valley" approaches the weighty topic with a heavy, sluggish hand.

With solid performances and a sensitive screenplay, The Valley offers a window overlooking a heartbreakingly common situation whose signs and symptoms remain elusive.