Jenifer (2001)

The triumphant true story of three sisters who unite in the face of adversity when one of them is diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Director:

Jace Alexander

Writers:

Valerie Estess (story), Geoffrey Nauffts (story)

Stars:

Laura San Giacomo, Jane Kaczmarek, Annabella Sciorra

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Laura San Giacomo	...	Jenifer Estess
Jane Kaczmarek	...	Valerie Estess
Annabella Sciorra	...	Meredith Estess
Jane Alexander	...	Marilyn Estess
Maddie Corman	...	Julianne Hoffenberg
Edie Falco	...	Wheelchair Saleswoman
Donna Hanover	...	Herself
Camryn Manheim	...	Nurse Vandemal
Julianna Margulies	...	Jenifer's Psychiatrist
Rob Morrow	...	Dr. Richard Feldman
Reed Rudy	...	Scotty
Cedric Smith	...	Dr. Richards
Vincent Spano	...	Jack
Fisher Stevens	...	Dr. Aaron Sanders
Marisa Tomei	...	Nina Capelli

Storyline

The triumphant true story of three sisters who unite in the face of adversity when one of them is diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | forename as title | lou gehrigs disease | one word title | 

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Taglines:

One moment changed her life. This movie will change yours.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 2001 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Jenifer Estess Story

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Atlantis Communications, Canadian Television (CTV), Old Beantown Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

Breathe
Written by Maria McKee
Performed by Maria McKee
Courtesy of Geffen Records

User Reviews

Laura San Giacomo shines in the role of a lifetime that is inspirational and extraordinary.

Although she is mainly known these days for portraying Maya Gallo on the hit NBC comedy sitcom JUST SHOOT ME, Laura San Giacomo should be praised for her dramatic performance in the true story of Jenifer Estess, a brilliant woman stricken with Lou Gehrig's disease, otherwise known as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis).

'JENIFER' opens with shots of Giacomo dancing to the radio in her kitchen as she gets ready for work, making herself coffee and slamming the refrigerator door with her foot as she bolts out the door to make it on time to the theater where she works as a drama producer. These pivotal small moments make the viewer understand how precious these things will become to Jenifer once she is stricken with the disease.

We are introduced to her sisters, Valerie and Meredith, brilliantly portrayed by Jane Kaczmarek and Annabella Sciorra, who show the true bond of 'sisterhood' as they stick with her through the good and the bad times to help her deal with her ailing condition. A few small incidents lead Jenifer to realize that there is something wrong with her. She drops a few things, loses her balance, finds herself commonly out of breath and the lack of energy or strength to use her motor skills. Jenifer was only 35 when she was diagnosed with the disease and Laura San Giacomo brilliantly portrays her life from herein.

Many cameos throughout the tele-movie are portrayed by different television personalities. Marisa Tomei plays one of the actresses in the production Jenifer is involved with at the theater. Scott Wolf plays a would-be blind date who is turned off by Jenifer's condition. Julianna Margulies is the psychiatrist-cum-MD Jenifer visits to try and pinpoint the condition that she has. Camryn Manheim is Jenifer's hard, unsympathetic nurse. Rob Morrow is the Doctor who eventually joins the ALS Foundation to help research stem cell growth.

As Jenifer's disease eventually constricts her body from total movement, the film becomes a fight for her life as the focus turns directly to the research of stem cell growth on mice and the hopes that one day, humans may receive the same treatment.

This tele-movie is an inspirational piece of work dedicated to those who rely on stem cell research, including those suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. The only issue I had with this tele-movie was the 'too-feminine' theme that en-shrouded this production. I could identify the strong 'sisterhood' bond between Jenifer, Valerie and Meredith, but with the sugar-coated grab-your-tissues situations and the sound-track mainly consisting of singers such as Sheryl Crow, k.d. Lang and Aimee Mann, the whole production felt like something that was intended for Lifetime, Television for Women. Lou Gehrig's disease is NOT something that only a woman can be diagnosed with. I felt that this production should have been a bit more broad-minded with the audience that it was trying to reach.

Overall, as a male, I still found this tele-movie to be highly inspirational and I give high honors to Laura San Giacomo for portraying this human being as something that should eventually garner her a long-deserved Emmy Award.

9/10