Based on a true story, “Gimme Shelter” gives viewers an unrelenting perspective of what life can be like for young adults with no support from their parents. Director Ron Krauss uses a very raw and hard-hitting glimpse of a New Jersey shelter to connect literally with the emotional struggles of main character Apple (played by Vanessa Hudgens).

Hudgens’ parents are Tom Fitzpatrick (played by Brendan Fraser) and June Bailey, played by a nearly unrecognizable Rosario Dawson. The indomitable James Earl Jones contributes as caring priest, Frank McCarthy. The immediate elephant in the room that already has a myriad of people talking is Hudgens’ performance. If there was ever any doubt after last year’s “Spring Breakers” that Hudgens hasn’t unapologetically shed the Disney Channel skin, let it die now. Hudgens is magical in the film and single-handedly weaved a performance that would make onions tear up.

The film starts off by portraying her turbulent relationship with her abusive mother, June. As the film rolls along we see Apple go through a series of hardships all the while going through her own metamorphosis from a scared pregnant teenager to a brazen young woman that will not allow her circumstances to define her. After leaving her mother we see Apple eventually finding her father, Tom. While Apple and June have been running the gamut of life’s difficulties, Tom has been living large with his wife and two kids. Apple’s arrival doesn’t sit well with Tom’s wife and before long she’s sent packing and comes under the care of Frank McCarthy, a loving priest. McCarthy introduces Apple to a shelter full of other young pregnant women.

The film does have some religious undertone here and there but it doesn’t detract from the overall accessibility of the film itself. The supporting cast all contribute to the overall quality of the film and this looks like the beginning of Vanessa Hudgens stepping into a bright new phase of her career.

“Gimme Shelter” is now playing in theaters.

-Jagpal Khahera