The Great Gilly Hopkins (2015)

12-year-old wisecracking Gilly Hopkins finds herself shuffled from foster home to foster home until she meets Maime Trotter.

Director:

Stephen Herek

Writers:

David Paterson (screenplay by), Katherine Paterson (based on the book by)

Stars:

Sophie Nélisse, Kathy Bates, Glenn Close

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sophie Nélisse	...	Gilly Hopkins (as Sophie Nelisse)
Kathy Bates	...	Maime Trotter
Glenn Close	...	Nonnie
Octavia Spencer	...	Ms. Harris
Julia Stiles	...	Courtney
Bill Cobbs	...	Mr. Randolph
Billy Magnussen	...	Ellis
Zachary Hernandez	...	W.E.
Clare Foley	...	Agnes
Sammy Pignalosa	...	Rajeem
Toby Turner	...	Ticket Agent
Richard Topol	...	Principal Evans
Cara Cooper	...	Woman with Book
Salvatore Rossi	...	Stevie
Cameron Clifford	...	Ed

Storyline

A feisty foster kid's outrageous scheme to be reunited with her birth mother has unintended consequences in The Great Gilly Hopkins, an entertaining film for the entire family. Gilly Hopkins (Sophie Nélisse) has seen more than her share of foster homes and has outwitted every family she has lived with. In an effort to escape her new foster mother Maime Trotter's (Kathy Bates) endless loving care, Gilly concocts a plan that she believes will bring her mother running to her rescue. But when the ploy blows up in Gilly's face it threatens to ruin the only chance she's ever had to be part of a real family. Based on the award-winning young-adult novel by Katherine Paterson (Bridge to Terabithia), The Great Gilly Hopkins stars Sophie Nélisse, Kathy Bates, Julia Stiles, Bill Cobbs, Billy Magnussen, with Octavia Spencer and Glenn Close.

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Plot Keywords:

social worker | female protagonist | brother sister relationship | grief | mourning | 

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Taglines:

Finding where you belong isn't always easy.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material and language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Fabulosa Gilly Hopkins

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lionsgate Premiere,Latium Films,Arcady Bay Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The author of the book Katherine Paterson has a cameo as the shop clerk in the bus station scene. The clerk tells Gilly to check out the books.

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Goofs

This movie is set in Maryland during the Thanksgiving & Christmas holidays, yet all of the trees and lawns are in full summer splendor.

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Connections

Features Sesame Street (1969)

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Soundtracks

SYMPHONY NO. 40 MOLTO ALLEGRO
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Courtesy of FirstCom Music

User Reviews

Trials and Tribulations of Gilly Hopkins

This really is a good movie for the entire family when a flare for the dramatic is appreciated. The script is well written and directed. It's always a pleasure to watch Kathy Bates do her thing as she lights up the screen once again with a brilliant performance. Bill Cobbs didn't disappoint as this role seemed tailor made for him. Octavia Spencer, Julia Stiles, and Glenn Close as well as the rest of the cast did a terrific job--Bravo! I look forward to seeing more in the future from Zachary Hernandez, Clare Foley, and Sophie Ne'lisse. This part played by Sophie Ne'lisse was very impressive. Great job by this up and coming actress.