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 & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sophie Nélisse	...	Gilly Hopkins
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 (as Richard Topal)
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:

Family is where you find it

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic material and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The screenplay was written by David Paterson, son of the author of the book, The Great Gilly Hopkins, Katherine Paterson.

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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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Quotes

Gilly Hopkins: I don't need anyone's help!

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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

Good Family Movie

If you're looking for a movie to watch with your family, then this is the one. The Great Gilly Hopkins is an entertaining family movie for both adults & kids. With its dramatic & funny moments, it teaches the audience the importance of relationships, and what it takes to form a real family. The movie focuses on the life of Gilly Hopkins, a foster kid who's in a journey to find her real family, moving from a foster home to another, in search for her biological mother. That's until she meets her new foster mother, Maime Trotter, then her relationship with people in that community, from family members to teachers & friends, evolves with time into friendship, respect, and compassion. She ends up finding what she was always looking for, after learning that it takes love, esteem, and care to form a real family.

My only complaint about this movie is that the story lacked depth, and the events were too straightforward. Overall, it was above average. So if you're looking for something entertaining & simple, then this is it.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 October 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Great Gilly Hopkins

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$97,798

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