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Title: Annie (2014)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Jamie Foxx | ... | ||
| Quvenzhané Wallis | ... | ||
| Rose Byrne | ... | ||
| Bobby Cannavale | ... |
Guy
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| Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje | ... |
Nash
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| David Zayas | ... | ||
| Cameron Diaz | ... | ||
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Zoe Margaret Colletti | ... | |
| Nicolette Pierini | ... |
Mia
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| Eden Duncan-Smith | ... | ||
| Amanda Troya | ... | ||
| Dorian Missick | ... |
Annie's "Dad"
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| Tracie Thoms | ... |
Annie's "Mom"
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| Mike Birbiglia | ... |
Social Services Inspector
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| Stephanie Kurtzuba | ... |
Mrs. Kovacevic
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Annie is a young, happy foster kid who's also tough enough to make her way on the streets of New York in 2014. Originally left by her parents as a baby with the promise that they'd be back for her someday, it's been a hard knock life ever since with her mean foster mom Miss Hannigan. But everything's about to change when the hard-nosed tycoon and New York mayoral candidate Will Stacks - advised by his brilliant VP, Grace and his shrewd and scheming campaign advisor, Guy - makes a thinly-veiled campaign move and takes her in. Stacks believes he's her guardian angel, but Annie's self-assured nature and bright, sun-will-come-out-tomorrow outlook on life just might mean it's the other way around. Written by Sony Pictures Entertainment
A great deal of prejudice (yes, there really is no other honest word for it) kept me from seeing this movie until recently.
Firstly, I only moderately liked the original 1982 Annie, so the thought of remake had little appeal. Secondly, the casting seemed off. Sure, these are great actors worth seeing in any other production, but Annie is pretty defined by her milk-pale skin dotted with freckles, and as-hopelessly-white-as-Bret-Dennen red hair. Not to mention Daddy Warbucks defined the stereotype of a rich white republican businessman. What next? An Irish Nick Fury, a Native American play Bruce Lee in a bio-pic, or Jackie Chan cast as Zorro?
Obviously, it seemed, this was a case of art being sacrificed on the altar political correctness, or some other some other nefarious motive. Negative reviews from critics affirmed my doubts, and I felt justified in avoiding this movie. In retrospect: how small of me.
When finally seeing this production on Blu-Ray, I was amazed. Quvenzhane and Jamie are fantastic, the supporting cast also put in great performances. The tired 1930's script has been updated to be more realistic and believable. This story draws you in and makes you care. Yes, this feel-good family fare with a predictable happy ending, but it is executed flawlessly. Humor and drama is blended well, and it has the tone of future classic. You will want this in your library, because you will not mind experiencing it again as you show it for others that were also duped by the critics and doubters.
Critiques: It would have been nice to hear more of Mr. Foxx's amazing voice talents (we only get a small sample). Producer Will Smith made some good calls in casting (and avoiding another After Earth disaster), but should have done more to distance himself from the film. Maybe to the extent of asking DreamWorks or Disney to distribute under their label, which would have assured greater success at the box office.