Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Beau Bridges | ... | Bill Januson | |
Bruce Davison | ... | Dr. Michael Millerton | |
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Shelton Dane | ... | Robbie Januson |
Jena Malone | ... | Willa | |
Alice Krige | ... | Dee | |
Josef Sommer | ... | Edward Millerton | |
Frances McDormand | ... | Gus | |
Jeff Bridges | ... | Vincent | |
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Allegra Denton | ... | Caroline |
Dan Petronijevic | ... | Kenny | |
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Nick Johne | ... | Oscar |
Nicky Guadagni | ... | Hospital Administrator | |
Liisa Repo-Martell | ... | Angela | |
Pixie Bigelow | ... | Marian Millerton | |
James Kidnie | ... | Mr. Tatum |
Story of a man Bill Januson whose pride in being the head of his family won't let him accept help from his sick daughters doctor. He has to prove to his kids that even with the death of his wife and the loss of his job that they can and will survive. After hitting brick wall after brick wall comes a glimmer of hope. Written by Richard Jones <rjo339@swbell.net>
Thank goodness that satellite tv gave me a chance to see this movie, which otherwise, I presume, would have only been seen by American audiences. It is breathtaking in its reality and haunted me for days afterwards. When it was showing again a week later I could not face watching it again so soon, because it is emotionally draining. But I will most certainly watch it again at some point. Beau Bridges is superb as the father (and a good father at that) trying to cope with his family's descent into poverty and the childrens' performances are unbelievably good. It does not become corny or maudlin, which given the subject matter is an achievement. It is a lesson in life. It teaches us that poverty is not just in the huddled refugees camps or drought plagued deserts we see on our tv screens each night, but is right here in the midst of us, whether in the US or any other country. It is a very upsetting film, but turning in for the night after watching it I realized how lucky I am in life. And I would recommend especially to anyone who is feeling just a bit sorry for themselves