Allene Roberts
I notice no one ever mentions Allene Roberts, who played Meg. Since this is a 'coming of age' movie, and she is the protagonist, this is too bad, since her performance has the same kind of understated, quiet beauty that she does. Speaking of 'nuanced' -- her portrayal of Meg is expertly shaded, from the lonely 'outsider' at the beginning to boldly staking a claim to her adult status, to her disillusionment with her father. But even at her angriest, when she realizes how crazy Pete is and how his problems have held her back, she is still willing to forgive, showing that she is not only an adult in her newly-won 'rights', but an extraordinary human being in the depth of her capacity to love. Director Daves does some amazing things with makeup and lighting at various points that highlight her delicate loveliness -- again, subtly, not over-the-top, but it's Allene who 'runs with the ball'. Let's give Allene Roberts credit for the performance of a lifetime!
Baby, I don't care!