What Maisie Knew (2012)

In New York City, a young girl is caught in the middle of her parents' bitter custody battle.

Directors:

Scott McGehee, David Siegel

Writers:

Nancy Doyne (screenplay by), Carroll Cartwright (screenplay by)

Stars:

Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgård, Steve Coogan

3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julianne Moore	...	Susanna
Steve Coogan	...	Beale
Alexander Skarsgård	...	Lincoln
Joanna Vanderham	...	Margo
Onata Aprile	...	Maisie
Sadie Rae	...	Zoe (as Sadie Rae Lee)
Jesse Stone Spadaccini	...	Martin (as Jesse Spadaccini)
Diana García	...	Cecelia (as Diana Garcia Soto)
Amelia Campbell	...	Ms. Baine
Maddie Corman	...	Ms. Fairchild-Tetenbaum
Paddy Croft	...	Mrs. Wix
Trevor Long	...	Musician #1
Emma Holzer	...	Holly
Nadia Gan	...	Hostess
Samantha Buck	...	Zoe's Mother

Storyline

WHAT MAISIE KNEW is a contemporary New York City re-visioning of the Henry James novel by the same name, written by Carroll Cartwright and Nancy Doyne. It revolves around unwitting 7-year-old Maisie, caught in the middle of a custody battle between her mother Suzanna, an aging rock star, and her father, Beale, a major art dealer. In a race to win the court's advantage, Beale marries Maisie's nanny Margo, prompting Suzanna in turn to marry friend and local bartender, Lincoln. Both forced into a battle neither wishes to be a part of, Margo and Lincoln come to empathize with Maisie's position and over time with one another's. Teased by the notion of making their own surrogate family, the trio must either submit to the will of Maisie's parents or eventually face their wrath.

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Plot Keywords:

court | overhead camera shot | reference to london england | playground | reference to italy | 

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Taglines:

Hold on with all your heart.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 May 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Quel che sapeva Maisie

Filming Locations:

The High Line, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$6,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$21,480, 5 May 2013, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,065,000, 28 July 2013

Company Credits

Production Co:

Red Crown Productions,Weinstock Productions,10th Hole Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In an interview on the NPR program "Fresh Air", Julianne Moore said that she drew on Courtney Love and Patti Smith for inspiration for her character in this movie, who is (like Love and Smith) a rock star who is also a mother.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Susanna: Want to sleep with mommy tonight?
Maisie: Um hmm.
Susanna: In my bed?
Maisie: Um hmm.
Susanna: You promise not to kick me?
Maisie: I promise.

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Connections

Referenced in Summer of Blood (2014)

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Soundtracks

Little Red Riding Hood
Performed by Studio Group
Courtesy of Pegasus E.K.
By arrangement with The Orchard

User Reviews

A heartbreaking gem of a movie. Loved it.

This movie is a little gem. I read the New York Times review that said it was "Brilliant" or whatever, and I don't know if I'd go that far, but it's definitely the best movie about divorce and child custody I've ever seen, and it's nothing like Kramer vs. Kramer. It's actually really sweet and real feeling, mostly because you really identify with the little girl Maisie. All the adult actors are great, and sometimes funny (Steve Coogan), but I especially loved Alexander Skarsgard. He seems like a loser when you first see him, but he ends up being super loving, and his scenes with Maisie are really fun to watch. Haters are going to hate, but I think anyone would relate to this film about parents, kids, and finding people to love.