Somewhere between childhood and adolescence, 13-year-old Bea is on the edge of growing-up, and isn’t sure she likes what she sees, especially with her parents moving ever closer towards a divorce. This summer starts out feeling lonely, the same as always, until she meets the outspoken and boisterous Kate. Though Bea and Kate are seemingly opposites, they somehow fit together. Under Kate’s influence, Bea starts to find her courage. But being brave has a price, especially when it means making very difficult choices. In the end, Bea stops being afraid, in the process realizing that best friends can be much more than friends and that, ultimately, love makes you stronger. Porcupine Lake is an excellent Canadian independent drama about friendship and love. The outstanding performance by Lucinda Armstrong Hall, who plays Kate, is the icing on the cake.