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

A Movie the way they used to make'em

A truly heartwarming "slice of life" drama. Conductor of the local town orchestra of Sandy Bottom, Minnesota quits just weeks before their big concert at the agricultural fair. Resident Norman Green must take over the conducting chores now. Green's wife, Ingrid, is choir director at the Lutheran Church there and is getting grief from the minister and music committee about some of Ingrid's music selections. There is a very touching scene when the pastor of the church lets Ingrid know that he is aware that it was Ingrid who left the weeks supply of food for the minister and his family, after she discovered that the pastor's wife has a very debilitating disease. To make matters worse, Norman Green's guest soloist on the Mozart Piano Concerto storms off one week before the performance. Now Ingrid must step in at the last minute and perform a piece she has not tried in years. Very moving performances by Glenne Headly as Ingrid, Tom Irwin as Norman, Madeline Zima as daughter Rachel Green, and veteran actress Jane Powell as close friend Delia Ferguson. This film will have you laughing in places and crying in places, but the story is never maudlin. A must see film for the entire family.