The Sandy Bottom Orchestra (2000)

A concert pianist marries a Wisconsin farmer. The struggles that comes with that.

Director:

Bradley Wigor

Writers:

Garrison Keillor (novel), Jenny Lind Nilsson (novel)

Stars:

Glenne Headly, Tom Irwin, Madeline Zima

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Glenne Headly	...	Ingrid Green
Tom Irwin	...	Norman Green
Madeline Zima	...	Rachel Green
Jane Powell	...	Delia Ferguson
Richard McMillan	...	Jim Sykes
Roger Dunn	...	Mayor Broadbent
Bradley Reid	...	Billy Peterson
Elizabeth Lennie	...	Angie Wyman
Tamara Hope	...	Carol Wyman
Lindsay Murrell	...	Valerie
Shadia Simmons	...	Jenny
Wendy Lyon	...	Mrs. Erickson
Marcello Meleca	...	Todd Gustafson
Gerard Boyd	...	Mr. Geckle
Tita Griffin	...	Mrs. Dortlund

Storyline

A concert pianist marries a Wisconsin farmer. The struggles that comes with that.

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Plot Keywords:

violinist | small town | pianist | outsider | orchestra | 

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 August 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Kisvárosi zenekar

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Entertainment, Helios Productions, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Madeline Zima, who plays Rachel Green, is the sister of Yvonne Zima, who played Rachel Greene in "ER".

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Goofs

The narration puts the time as summer, and events put it prior to Labor Day, but in some shots the leaves have already turned.

User Reviews

Life, death, and music in small town life

This movie is a loving look at small town life through the eyes of an offbeat family and their love of classical music. Glenne Headly stars as the musically trained mom stuck in a small town she feels is shallow and parochial, but is reminded of the special place she has in it all the same , the movie is Hallmark flavored sweetness, but it still has truth and honesty to it]. Her husband, a music loving dairy worker, decides to have a classical concert at the next annual dairy festival. Their teenage daughter (a talented musician) is having growing pains of her own -- she's the film narrator, and it's primary voice (we also see some things through the mother's point of view). An interesting subplot involves the mother's role as church choirmaster, and the struggles of the minister. This subplot in particular has some bite, and helps the movie not to be just written off as trite fluff.

An enjoyable movie that honors family, music, small town life, religion, and independence. A small film of a certain kind, predictable in its way, but not so easily written off as standard fare. We need more movies like this... how often do such themes get full length treatment?