Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story (TV 2003)

Based on a true story. Liz Murray is a young girl who is taken care of by her loving, but drug-addicted parents. Liz becomes homeless at 15 and after a tragedy comes upon her, she begins her work to finish high school.

Director:

Peter Levin

Writer:

Ronni Kern

Stars:

Thora Birch, Michael Riley, Robert Bockstael

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Thora Birch	...	Liz Murray
Michael Riley	...	Peter
Robert Bockstael	...	David
Makyla Smith	...	Chris
Kelly Lynch	...	Jean Murray
Jennifer Pisana	...	Young Liz
Aron Tager	...	Pops
Ellen Page	...	Young Lisa
Marla McLean	...	Lisa
Marguerite McNeil	...	Eva
Amber Godfrey	...	Dawn
Seamus Morrison	...	Bobby
John Fulton	...	Old Irish Cop
Rejean Cournoyer	...	Young Irish Cop
Mauralea Austin	...	Miss Wanda

Storyline

Based on a true story. Liz Murray is a young girl who is taken care of by her loving, but drug-addicted parents. Liz becomes homeless at 15 and after a tragedy comes upon her, she begins her work to finish high school.

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Plot Keywords:

homeless teenager | character name in title

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Taglines:

When there was nothing to believe in, she believed in herself.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Portuguese Brazilian Sign Language

Release Date:

7 April 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Abbandonata Dal Destino

Filming Locations:

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Barnet Bain Films, Metafilmics, Patriarch Pictures Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Based on the true story of Elizabeth "Liz" Murray. The real Liz appeared in the movie as a social worker and was also a co-producer for the production.

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Quotes

Liz Murray: I was 15 when I went out in the world. What's a home anyway? A roof? A bed? A place where when you go there, they have to take you? If so, then I was 15 when I became homeless.

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Connections

Features Jeopardy! (1984)

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Soundtracks

"Perfect"
Performed by Maren Ord

User Reviews

Very well done, with a good message....

I had only seen Thora Birch in "Ghost World" (where she was also quite good) and so felt she deserved credit for this TV movie which was based on a true story.

Kelly Lynch and Michael Riley portray Liz Murray's parents who are both drug addicts living in squalor in a NYC apartment. I am not certain why Lynch often gets these roles. In "The Jacket" she had a similar role, but she is nonetheless believable.

Liz Murray attends school, and while being an excellent student, has difficulty with her emotions, sadness, and unstable home life. Eventually her mother contracts AIDS, and must either live with her father, or some form of assisted living. Murray apparently managed on her own. She studies hard, takes AP college courses, and sleeps overnight in abandoned subway cars. (Anyone who has seen the NY city subway system know this is no small feat).

Birch is believable, and looks the part; with all the odds against her she does well, graduates high school, and is offered a scholarship to Harvard. The fact that this is a true story is positive, it is nice to see a movie with a decent message for kids with real reasons why they should stay in school. 9/10.