Admissions (2004)

The Brighton has a traumatic drama in the breast of their family: the twenty years old Emily Brighton is retarded due to a fall when she was one, and her overprotective mother Martha ... See full summary »

Director:

Melissa Painter

Writer:

Dawn O'Leary (screenplay)

Stars:

Lauren Ambrose, Amy Madigan, Christopher Lloyd

Cast

Cast overview:
Lauren Ambrose	...	Evie Brighton
Amy Madigan	...	Martha Brighton
Christopher Lloyd	...	Stewart Worthy
Fran Kranz	...	James Parks
Taylor Roberts	...	Emily Brighton
John Savage	...	Harry Brighton
Vernee Watson-Johnson	...	Stanford Interviewer
Benjamin Pratt	...	Dartmouth Interviewer
Scott Adsit	...	Harvard Interviewer
Aleksa Palladino	...	Amherst Interviewer
Jennifer Schweickert	...	Librarian
Joyce Schweickert	...	Saleslady
Storm Large	...	TV Host
Paul Ryan	...	Man

Storyline

The Brighton has a traumatic drama in the breast of their family: the twenty years old Emily Brighton is retarded due to a fall when she was one, and her overprotective mother Martha Brighton blames her negligence for the accident. The seventeen years old Evie Brighton loves her sister and reads poems and stories for Emily. Their father Harry Brighton, a bank investor, lives in the basement with his models of trains and railroads. Evie mysteriously sabotages her interviews for different universities being rejected, and teaches the poetries of her own to Emily. When Martha hears Emily repeating the poems, she takes notes and shows them to the English teacher Stewart Worthy, who believes that Emily has had a moment of geniuses. When Evie's only friend James reads the notes, he immediately discloses the truth about the authority of the poetries. But when Martha becomes aware, she finds the reality of Evie, triggering a series of revelations.

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Plot Keywords:

poetry | poem | interview | basement | bench | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements and brief language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 June 2006 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

Island of Brilliance

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

User Reviews

Decent indie flick with subtle ending

I have had the opportunity to catch this independent film and was impressed with it, despite the lack of excitement in the plot. The acting was very good by everyone involved. Amy Madigan played the part of a guilt ridden mother who is tired, yet well intentioned and determined to make up for her younger daughter's condition. Yet, in the process, she has neglected her older sister, who is more interested in playing with her savant-syndrome sibling and living in a world of escapism.

The men in the movie are very powerful in their secondary roles. Christopher Lloyd, in a very understated role, shows us why he has such versatility. He plays a teacher who is dedicated to his profession and literature research, yet starved for a meaningful relationship. He and Madigan connect very well in their scenes together, yet both know nothing more can come from their friendship. Their wordless goodbye is nothing short of brilliant, an acting lesson for aspiring performers.

And in a small role, Fred Savage is fun to watch.

You can tell why this movie was based on a play, it's probably very good on stage. On screen, it's not particularly exciting, but it's nonetheless very thoughtful and powerful in its subtleties.