The Incredible Mrs. Ritchie (TV 2004)

A troubled teen is given the chance to redeem his criminal debt to society.

Director:

Paul Johansson

Writer:

Paul Johansson

Stars:

Gena Rowlands, Kevin Zegers, David Schofield

3 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gena Rowlands	...	Mrs. Evelyn Ritchie
Kevin Zegers	...	Charlie
David Schofield	...	Sonny
Leslie Hope	...	Joan
Cameron Daddo	...	Jim
Brenda James	...	Virginia
James Caan	...	Mr. Harry Dewitt
Justin Chatwin	...	Lawrence
Jeremy Raymond	...	Stanley Ritchie
Anna Van Hooft	...	Samantha
Brendan Prost	...	Al
John Speer	...	Lester
Darcy Dunlop	...	Mrs. Crisp
Sean Rooney	...	Ronnie
Will Weldon	...	Donnie

Storyline

A teen with a troubled home life and a penchant for trouble runs with a wrong crowd that constantly gets him in trouble. When his friends steal an older woman's purse, the school principal sees the boy fleeing the scene. When the boy will not involve the friends, he bears the brunt of the crime. In a meeting with his parents, the principal immediately senses the conflict that the boy has is his home life. The principal offers the boy an alternative to being removed from school by working for the woman he robbed until his debt is paid off. Going to her home, he meets her two mentally handicapped sons and the woman, who talks to her deceased husband whom she believes inhabits her garden. Conflicted by the kindness and the love he sees in her family, the boy has to deal with his home strife and the antics of his hoodlum peers. The eventual resolution does offer some surprises along the way.

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Plot Keywords:

garden | mother son relationship | gardening | teenage boy | mongoloid | 

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Taglines:

He was a kid with a past, and no future until he met...

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including teen drinking and smoking, language and some sensuality

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 March 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gioventù ribelle

Filming Locations:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nomadic Pictures, Prophecy Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min 101 min (Ontario)

Color:

Color

User Reviews

I will watch this one again & again!

I watched this film by happy accident. My husband picks dvds by a list of 3 he wants to watch and 2 he selects with eyes closed and just reaching on the shelf. Wow! I was really impressed. As a social worker, I am aware that most of all families are dysfunctional. The screen writers got it right here! I winced at the inferred abuse; much worse than the actual screen images. The acting was terrific and I agree with one other reviewer that the tough guy character was not quite right. He was too well groomed, and too mature to be riding around on stingrays. Gina Rowlands was superbly believable her character. She was a universal Everywoman. Thanks to the cast and crew for a wonderfully insightful and loving film!