Ellen Foster (TV 1997)

After her mother's death, a young girl is separated from her abusive father and is sent between her various friends and relatives, always longing to find a place to call home.

Director:

John Erman

Writers:

Kaye Gibbons (novel), Maria Nation (teleplay),

Stars:

Julie Harris, Jena Malone, Ted Levine

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julie Harris	...	Leonora Nelson
Jena Malone	...	Ellen Foster
Ted Levine	...	Bill Hammond
Glynnis O'Connor	...	Charlotte Nelson Hammond
Debra Monk	...	Aunt Nadine
Barbara Garrick	...	Aunt Betsy
Kate Burton	...	Abigail Montford
Zeljko Ivanek	...	Educational Psychologist
Lynne Moody	...	Mrs. Douglas
Bill Nunn	...	Mr. Douglas
Dick O'Neill	...	Judge
Amanda Peet	...	Julia Hobbs
Timothy Olyphant	...	Roy Hobbs
Kimberly J. Brown	...	Dora
Allison Jones	...	Starletta Douglas

Storyline

After her mother's death, a young girl is separated from her abusive father and is sent between her various friends and relatives, always longing to find a place to call home.

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Plot Keywords:

death | father daughter relationship | abuse | coming of age | alcoholism | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some abusive treatment of a child

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 December 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Ellen Foster (#47.2)

Filming Locations:

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Hallmark Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

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Soundtracks

"Remember (Christmas)"
Written by Harry Nilsson
Performed by Harry Nilsson

User Reviews

A tour de force for Jena Malone

Because the passage of years has a way of fogging most adults' memories of their own "childhoods" - especially in the intangible areas of feelings, hopes, hurts, decisions, goals, strategies, etc., they will often conclude that "children" are sort of non-sentient, non-human beings - blank pages in-putting a stream of data for use in their later, more important after metamorphosis existence. I read a review once of "The Cure", a movie starring young actors Joseph Mazzello and Brad Renfro, where a critic in a backhanded compliment called them "two of the best pre-actors around." I suppose that was because, being under twenty-one, they must be "pre-people." Judging by a few of Jena Malone's recent public remarks, not to mention her own real-life experiences, I'm sure she would object to such an attitude. Certainly, her film career belies that attitude. The movie "Ellen Foster" is a good case in point. In it she portrays an eleven year-old girl who, when buffeted by the cruelty and insensitivity of the supposed wise adult world responsible for her care, sets out determinedly to shape a world for herself that does make sense. Ellen belongs to no one but her own unique really human self.

However, it isn't just the character who achieves the point. More important, by her powerful performance, Miss Malone certainly proves she is an actor - and person - of substance. Her ability to read and interpret with such perception and sensitivity the inner being of Ellen as she goes through her trials and sets out on her steadfast quest is precisely on point. This movie is a tour de force for Jena Malone. In the field of acting, she takes a back seat to no one ... of any age.