Leonie (2010)

A film about the life and relationships of the early 20th American educator, editor, and journalist Leonie Gilmour, the mother of the acclaimed artist and architect Isamu Noguchi.

Director:

Hisako Matsui

Writers:

Masayo Duus (biography), Hisako Matsui (screenplay),

Stars:

Emily Mortimer, Shidô Nakamura, Christina Hendricks

Cast

Credited cast:
Emily Mortimer	...	Leonie
Shidô Nakamura	...	Yone Noguchi
Christina Hendricks	...	Catherine
Mieko Harada	...	Umeko Tsuda
Jan Milligan	...	Isamu Noguchi
Keiko Takeshita	...	Setsu Koizumi
Takashi Kashiwabara	...	Michihiko Kawada
Kelly Vitz	...	Ailes Gilmour
Nichole Hiltz	...	Ethel Ames
Kazuko Yoshiyuki	...	Kiku
Jay Karnes	...	Dr. Rumely
Marco St. John	...	Routolo
Mary Kay Place	...	Albiana
Louca Platon	...	Iris - 5 years old
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Julia Adams	...	Bryn Mawr Professor 1892

Storyline

A film about the life and relationships of the early 20th American educator, editor, and journalist Leonie Gilmour, the mother of the acclaimed artist and architect Isamu Noguchi.

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Plot Keywords:

artist | kiss | husband wife relationship | asian man white woman relationship | japan | 

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Taglines:

A mother's courage and a clash of cultures inspire the artist that transcends both

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief sexuality, partial nudity and brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

France UK Australia Germany Belgium USA Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

2012 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Metairie, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$14,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Essen Communications, Hyde Park Films, Leonie Production Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

A strong mother and a future Artist son in a tough world.

It seems like I'm the only one that's giving this film a high rating. I personally loved it. It even made me cry a bit.

but I have to say, this is not a movie for everybody. It's based on the book about the famous Japanese & American artist Isamu Nuguchi's life story. the title is "The Life of Isamu Noguchi: Journey without Borders" by Masayo Duus

its a true story (most of it) and if you know about Isamu Noguchi, I think you will appreciate this film. I mean, if you know about him, you will understand the film more.

Isamu was born in early 1900's in California. Mother Leonie Gilmore an editor. and father a Japanese poet Yone Noguchi. Yone left Leonie before Isamu was born. but after a couple years, Yone invites Leonie and Isamu to live in Japan with him. She goes, but finds out Yone has other wives(!) and leaves him and try to live by her own with young Isamu. but... as you can figure, early 1900's Japan is NOT a nice place to live if your a foreigner with a MIXED kid + NO husband. the movie is mostly about how she and Isamu struggles in their lives.

Director Hisako Matsui focused on Leonie Gilmore as a independent woman & strong mother. Time flies fast in this movie. as it shows the life of Leonie from when she goes to university till she dies...in a couple of hours.

nobody can't complain about Emily Mortimer (as Leonie) and Shido Nakamura(as Yone Noguchi).I was surprised when I heard that they casted such good actors. basically, the two actors held the movie together in one piece.

the music score by Jan A.P. Kaczmarek( also wrote scores for "Finding Neverland", and "Hachi".) was amazing and matched the scenery perfectly.