Julie Johnson (2001)

A woman attempts to realize the dreams she never knew she had.

Director:

Bob Gosse

Writers:

Wendy Hammond, Bob Gosse

Stars:

Lili Taylor, Courtney Love, Noah Emmerich

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lili Taylor	...	Julie Johnson
Courtney Love	...	Claire
Noah Emmerich	...	Rick Johnson
Mischa Barton	...	Lisa Johnson
Gideon Jacobs	...	Franky Johnson
Patrick Fitzgerald	...	Mike
Spalding Gray	...	Mr. Tom Miranda
Ali Marsh	...	Yolanda
Welker White	...	Sally
Dana Chaifetz	...	Susan (as Dannah Chaifetz)
Donna Hanover	...	Catherine Miranda
Bill Golodner	...	Harry
Kelly Hill	...	Ms. Hensen (as Kelley Hill)
Gina Merchan	...	Girl 1 in Park
Samara Harris	...	Girl 2 in Park

Storyline

A New Jersey housewife is dissatisfied with her everyday life because she is smarter than she or anyone else knows. While taking a computer class, Julie discovers her abilities and finds the courage to make dramatic life changes. This is a story of realizing one's potential and being willing to turn one's life upside down to take a chance on finding happiness. Claire, Julie's best friend, goes along with Julie's secret quest and eventually moves in with her. Both women are on a search to realize their dreams and come to terms with their love for each other.

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Plot Keywords:

new jersey | computer class | computer | courage | friend | 

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Taglines:

The life you want is waiting to be found

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 January 2001 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Shooting Gallery

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Lisa Johnson: Mom, is it true? Is everything that people are saying about you and Claire true?
Julie Johnson: We love each other. That's true.
Lisa Johnson: As what?
Julie Johnson: As... lovers.

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Soundtracks

Beautiful
Written and Performed by Anne Waronker

User Reviews

Far-fetched but incredibly human story, sympathetic yet unsentimental...

Hoboken housewife and mother of two in her late thirties has very little education but is actually a closet physics nut; she kicks her husband out of the house when he makes fun of her ambition, to eventually become a computer scientist. Unreleased theatrical drama made the film festival rounds in 2002 but never picked up a distributor. While it doesn't have the scope (or budget) of something like "Good Will Hunting", it does have something more intricate and substantial: a leading character who is complicated and yet ordinary--determined and hopeful, but also naive. Lili Taylor is exceptionally confident in this role and she pulls off some tricky dramatic moments with grace. As her neighbor and best friend, Courtney Love is also very natural and appealing, and Spalding Gray does nice, low-key work as a teacher. The screenplay (by playwright Wendy Hammond, based on her play, and director Bob Gosse) certainly tackles a lot of issues, but the straightforward handling never allows the narrative to stumble (only in one or two scenes does it feel like it is overreaching, and a scene where Taylor's son cusses out mom's friend seems to come too early in the film and confuses us). Released on DVD by the gay-based entertainment division Here!, the movie has been tagged as a lesbian drama due to the ensuing close relationship between roommates Taylor and Love, however this theme is also handled quite unobtrusively, without any sign of cynicism or sensationalism; what the intimacy resolves (and what it soon leads to) is heartbreaking without being melodramatic or sentimental. Of course, it's a stretch to find that a barely-educated, low-income mother of two just may be an unsung genius, but Hammond and Gosse help us to believe it could happen in just this way. Their faith in the character helps us realize anything's possible and attainable. *** from ****