American Girl

American Girl is a 2002 American comedy-drama film directed by Jordan Brady and starring Jena Malone, who also serves as a co-producer. Co-starring are Brad Renfro, Chris Mulkey, Michelle Forbes, Alicia Witt, and Clifton Collins, Jr. The film follows a pregnant, naive teenager who convinces her family to visit their father in prison at its annual family picnic, only for him to not be what she had idealized. The film premiered on October 14, 2002 at the Austin Film Festival. It was later released to DVD on January 11, 2005 under the title Confessions of an American Girl. Plot Rena is a suicidal and naive teenage girl whose father John is serving a long prison sentence. She has an idealistic view of her father. Her boyfriend, the popular Kenton, only uses her for sex, and other teenage girls tease her relentlessly. She eventually becomes pregnant with Kenton's baby, which she is excited to keep. Rena and her family - mother Madge, half-sister Barbie, and brother Jay - travel to John's prison for the annual family picnic at Rena's insistence despite her family's discomfort. Things seem to be going just fine, but he eventually becomes abusive and angry. Rena tells her dad that she's pregnant, news which John does not handle well. Jay, who is secretly gay, wanders off to tour the prison with another inmate named Buddy. Barbie sneaks off to the conjugal visit trailers to have sex with John; Barbie has been secretly visiting the prison regularly and has been having an affair with her stepfather. After she is caught by Buddy and Jay, the other inmates watch as Buddy makes Barbie squeal like a pig in exchange for not reporting her to her mother. Rena bonds with Faye, an institutionalized woman who is also overcoming her anxiety and suicidal tendencies. Jay and Buddy bond, and when the tour is over Buddy gives Jay a haircut.