The Unloved (TV 2009)A film that gives a child's eye view of the U.K.'s government-run care system for orphans and children in danger. Director:Samantha Morton |
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The Unloved (TV 2009)A film that gives a child's eye view of the U.K.'s government-run care system for orphans and children in danger. Director:Samantha Morton |
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
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Molly Windsor | ... |
Lucy
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| Robert Carlyle | ... |
Lucy's Father
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| Susan Lynch | ... |
Lucy's Mother
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| Craig Parkinson | ... |
Ben
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| Andrea Lowe | ... |
Vicky
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| Karl Collins | ... |
Karl
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Johann Myers | ... |
Johann
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| Michael Socha | ... |
Michael
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Darren O. Campbell | ... |
Darren
(as Darren Campbell)
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Kerry Stacey | ... |
Jackie
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Ladene Hall | ... |
Ladene
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Penny Morton | ... |
Penny
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Marie Wheeler-King | ... |
Marie
(as Marie Wheeler King)
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| Lauren Socha | ... |
Lauren
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Christopher Russell | ... |
Connor
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Lucy is eleven years old. Having been neglected by her estranged mother and father, she is placed in a children's home. Through her eyes, we follow Lucy's struggle to cope with the system. Her saving is her self-belief and her certainty that she is being watched over and protected by the holy spirit. Hers is a heroic quest for love, beauty and transcendence. Written by Anonymous
I was scrolling through Netflix when I came across the image for this film. On the cover is a little girl whose blue eyes are looking up thoughtfully with her blonde hair blowing about in the wind. Across the picture underneath her face is the title, "Unloved".
This grabbed my attention because she looked like I did at that age, and the title was fitting to my relatively tumultuous childhood. Then, when I scrolled over it, and saw that not only did she look like me, but she had the same name: Lucy! When I continued to read that the movie was about her having to go live in a group home, I was utterly shocked and convinced that someone had made a movie about me.
As I watched it, I was astounded by the authenticity in the portrayal of her experience, from the indifference of her many care takers, to the wildness of the other lost kids around her. There she was, caught up in the mix, just existing as her life took a course over which she had little control. I later learned that the director, Samantha Morton, lived in a group home, and only someone who has lived it could know what it is like. This is what it is like. Even the way the group home looks. The bright colors, scuffed up walls, little dorm style rooms, dingy living room with an old TV. I lived in a group home and this is exactly what it was like. Although I was older when I went into the group home, scenes from this movie resonated so deeply with me. When Lucy is in the back of her social worker's car being driven to the Group Home, She's looking out the window, just thinking, not knowing what to expect, but not afraid either. It was like I was watching that very same scene that happened in my own life. I am amazed by this film. I feel like it was made just for me. Thanks Samantha Morton.