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Tennessee

  • 20082008
  • RR
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
846
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
52,755
14,201
Tennessee (2008)
The story of three people who strive to realize their dreams. Brothers Carter and Ellis set out on a road trip to their childhood home in a desperate search for their estranged father, who may hold the key to their future.
Play trailer2:09
1 Video
5 Photos
AdventureComedyDrama
The story of three people who strive to realize their dreams. Brothers Carter and Ellis set out on a road trip to their childhood home in a desperate search for their estranged father, who m... Read allThe story of three people who strive to realize their dreams. Brothers Carter and Ellis set out on a road trip to their childhood home in a desperate search for their estranged father, who may hold the key to their future.The story of three people who strive to realize their dreams. Brothers Carter and Ellis set out on a road trip to their childhood home in a desperate search for their estranged father, who may hold the key to their future.
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
846
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
52,755
14,201
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Aaron Woodley
    • Writer
      • Russell Schaumburg
    • Stars
      • Adam Rothenberg
      • Ethan Peck
      • Mariah Carey
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Aaron Woodley
    • Writer
      • Russell Schaumburg
    • Stars
      • Adam Rothenberg
      • Ethan Peck
      • Mariah Carey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 9User reviews
    • 13Critic reviews
    • 42Metascore

    Videos1

    Tennessee
    Trailer 2:09
    Tennessee

    Photos

    Mariah Carey, Ethan Peck, and Adam Rothenberg in Tennessee (2008)
    Mariah Carey, Ethan Peck, and Adam Rothenberg in Tennessee (2008)
    Mariah Carey in Tennessee (2008)
    Mariah Carey, Ethan Peck, and Adam Rothenberg in Tennessee (2008)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Adam Rothenberg
    Adam Rothenberg
    • Carter
    Ethan Peck
    Ethan Peck
    • Ellis
    Mariah Carey
    Mariah Carey
    • Krystal
    Lance Reddick
    Lance Reddick
    • Frank
    Ryan Lynn
    • Carter - age 18
    Michele Harris
    • Karen
    Bill Sage
    Bill Sage
    • Roy
    Melissa Benoist
    Melissa Benoist
    • Laurel - age 18
    Michele Ammon
    Michele Ammon
    • Police Dispatcher
    • (voice)
    Christopher Andrews
    Christopher Andrews
    • Jackson
    Jerry Biggs
    • Manager
    Ellie Braverman
    • Woman in Line
    Donna Brazier
    • Nurse
    Forrest Broadley
    • Groundskeeper
    Chris Browning
    Chris Browning
    • Bouncer
    Lawrence Bull Jr.
    Lawrence Bull Jr.
    • Bar Patron
    Camryn
    Camryn
    • Patron
    • (as Camryn Magness)
    Harp Corrigan
    • The Stranger
    • Director
      • Aaron Woodley
    • Writer
      • Russell Schaumburg
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Val Kilmer, who lives on a nearby New Mexico ranch, initially agreed to participate in this film secondary to his work with New Mexico's Film Investment Program, but as production neared he was forced to decline secondary to other commitments.
    • Connections
      Featured in Mariah Carey: Right to Dream (2008)
    • Soundtracks
      Right to Dream
      Written by Mariah Carey and Willie Nelson

      Performed by Mariah Carey

    User reviews9

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    'Just take a picture of the mountain'
    TENNESSEE is a minimalist film: there is very little dialogue, not a lot of movement, not a huge climax. It just happens and while it is happening it changes you. Though it is a small budget film it makes a big impact, making us wish that there were more films like this to counterbalance all the big over the top bonanzas that seem to rule the theater circuit. It is gently written (by Russell Schaumburg), sensitive directed by Aaron Woodley, and acted with honesty by a fine young cast.

    Ellis (Ethan Peck, definitely an actor on the rise) and Carter (Adam Rothenberg (ditto) are brothers; their mother is dead and their father has a history of abusing the boys to the point that Ellis and Carter no longer see him. Ellis is a photographer by hobby, taking photographs of mountains and landscapes in their Tennessee small town: Carter drinks too much but looks after his younger brother. Ellis is diagnosed as having leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant - Carter offers but despite being siblings the match is not adequate. The brothers set out on a trip to be together and end up in New Mexico. But soon they are on the road again and in Texas they pause at a diner where they meet Krystal (Mariah Carey) waiting tables, but preferring to write songs. Seeing that the brothers have no money, Krystal takes them home - she is married to an alcoholic Texas Ranger Frank (Lance Reddick) who routinely beats her and demands that the 'freeloaders' be gone in the morning. The next morning the three of them take the car and head to Tennessee - the boys have decided that Ellis' only hope is to find their father to see if he is a candidate to donate bone marrow. The three are chased by Frank until they finally reach Tennessee where, for need of cash, Krystal sings in a nightclub contest and captures the audience's approval while she now has money to give to the brothers to find their father.

    How these disparate, desperate people come together emotionally and the manner in which the story ends may seem too pat for some, but for viewers with vulnerable hearts this little film will be fulfilling. Each of the cast is excellent, but it is such a pleasure to see Mariah Carey in a role that merits her talent and find that she handles it so well is rewarding. It is a small story with a huge heart.

    Grady Harp
    helpful•7
    3
    • gradyharp
    • Dec 28, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 26, 2008 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Теннесси
    • Filming locations
      • McMinnville, Tennessee, USA
    • Production companies
      • Lee Daniels Entertainment
      • Smokewood Entertainment Group
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $4,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $16,100
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $9,438
      • Jun 7, 2009
    • Gross worldwide
      • $16,100
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 39 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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