Grand Avenue (1996)

When Mollie's boyfriend Jack dies on the reservation, she is asked to leave the reservation by her boyfriend's sister for not being one of there own, aside from Mollie's son. Mollie is ... See full summary »

Director:

Daniel Sackheim

Writers:

Greg Sarris (book), Greg Sarris (teleplay)

Stars:

Irene Bedard, Tantoo Cardinal, Eloy Casados

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Irene Bedard	...	Reyna
Tantoo Cardinal	...	Nellie
Eloy Casados	...	Albert
Alexis Cruz	...	Raymond
Deeny Dakota	...	Justine
Diane Debassige	...	Alice
Jenny Gago	...	Anna
Cody Lightning	...	Sheldon
A Martinez	...	Steven
Simi Mehta	...	Jeanne
August Schellenberg	...	Sherman
Sheila Tousey	...	Mollie
Sam Vlahos	...	Henry
Carmen Ahern	...	Evangeline
Quala Anderson	...	Gang Girl #2

Storyline

When Mollie's boyfriend Jack dies on the reservation, she is asked to leave the reservation by her boyfriend's sister for not being one of there own, aside from Mollie's son. Mollie is forced to pack up here belongings and her children and move to northern california, right into a gang infested neighborhood.

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Plot Keywords:

family relationships | native american | based on book

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Taglines:

Around every corner in America there's a story waiting to be told.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 June 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Megali peripeteia

Filming Locations:

Santa Rosa, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Elsboy Entertainment, Home Box Office (HBO), Wildwood Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

167 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Quotes

Justine: Wish I could've had something like this on the rez. Then I could've been good at tennis.
Raymond: I don't really know what a reservation's like.
Justine: You haven't missed much.
Raymond: Well my Dad's always talking about it. He says that our tribe should have one of it's own.
Justine: I don't know what for. I like it here Raymond.
Raymond: What, Grand Avenue?
Justine: No right here, right now.
[kisses Raymond]
Raymond: [cut to Toms' home] What the fuck is this? Reyna?
Steven: Look Raymond I know it's sudden...
[...]

User Reviews

Whatever Happened To Deeny Dakota?

The promo reads "Around Every Corner in America There's a Story Waiting To Be Told." The story here is about native Americans. One family in particular.

Mollie moves her two teenage daughters, and her young son, to a new neighborhood when they are expelled from their Indian Reservation after the death of her husband.

With no where else to go she goes to her cousin Anna, who lives on Grand Avenue.

Mollie has a drinking problem, can't hold down a job and has demons from her past.

The oldest daughter, Justine (portrayed perfectly by the beautiful and talented Deeny Dakota,) is an angry and rebellious girl. However, she has redeeming qualities. She is vulnerable and right from the start it is apparent she is hiding this behind her toughness, sexuality and her edge.

Her sister, Alice, is more reserved and responsible. She's the one that looks after little brother, Sheldon.

It's about a rough neighborhood, and the different races there, Blacks and Latinos, too. The Black gang thinks the native Americans are Latino. The black girl gang want to cut Justine, because she was messin with one of their men. This is the new "West Side Story."

It's also a soap opera in many ways. Past secrets etc.

This story is excellent. Superbly written, if you can get past the F-word (but hey folks, that's the way they really talk.)

Originally this was a two part mini-series on HBO. It can be bought or rented in a two video set.

Filmed on location in Santa Rosa, CA and Produced by Robert Redford. Yes, the Robert Redford. It co-stars A. Martinez, most recently of "General Hospital," and Alexis Cruz of "Touched By An Angel."

But the real star of the show is Deeny Dakota. This is her character's story. And Miss Dakota is as fine an actress as there has ever been.