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What Maisie Knew

  • 20122012
  • RR
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
28K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Julianne Moore, Alexander Skarsgård, and Onata Aprile in What Maisie Knew (2012)
In New York City, a young girl is caught in the middle of her parents' bitter divorce.
Play trailer2:14
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Drama

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

IMDb RATING
7.4/10
28K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Scott McGehee
    • David Siegel
  • Writers
    • Nancy Doyne(screenplay by)
    • Carroll Cartwright(screenplay by)
    • Henry James(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Julianne Moore
    • Alexander Skarsgård
    • Steve Coogan
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Scott McGehee
    • David Siegel
  • Writers
    • Nancy Doyne(screenplay by)
    • Carroll Cartwright(screenplay by)
    • Henry James(based on the novel by)
  • Stars
    • Julianne Moore
    • Alexander Skarsgård
    • Steve Coogan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 109User reviews
    • 170Critic reviews
    • 74Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 8 nominations

    Videos1

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:14
    Theatrical Version

    Photos118

    Alexander Skarsgård and Onata Aprile in What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Onata Aprile in What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Julianne Moore and Onata Aprile in What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Alexander Skarsgård in What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Julianne Moore and Onata Aprile in What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Alexander Skarsgård and Onata Aprile in What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Steve Coogan and Onata Aprile in What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Julianne Moore, Steve Coogan, and Onata Aprile in What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Joanna Vanderham in What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Alex Lundqvist at an event for What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Onata Aprile at an event for What Maisie Knew (2012)
    Zosia Mamet at an event for What Maisie Knew (2012)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Julianne Moore
    Julianne Moore
    • Susannaas Susanna
    Alexander Skarsgård
    Alexander Skarsgård
    • Lincolnas Lincoln
    Steve Coogan
    Steve Coogan
    • Bealeas Beale
    Joanna Vanderham
    Joanna Vanderham
    • Margoas Margo
    Onata Aprile
    Onata Aprile
    • Maisieas Maisie
    Sadie Rae
    • Zoeas Zoe
    • (as Sadie Rae Lee)
    Jesse Stone Spadaccini
    • Martinas Martin
    • (as Jesse Spadaccini)
    Diana García
    Diana García
    • Ceceliaas Cecelia
    • (as Diana Garcia Soto)
    Amelia Campbell
    Amelia Campbell
    • Ms. Baineas Ms. Baine
    Maddie Corman
    Maddie Corman
    • Ms. Fairchild-Tetenbaumas Ms. Fairchild-Tetenbaum
    Paddy Croft
    • Mrs. Wixas Mrs. Wix
    Trevor Long
    Trevor Long
    • Musician #1as Musician #1
    Emma Holzer
    Emma Holzer
    • Hollyas Holly
    Nadia Gan
    Nadia Gan
    • Hostessas Hostess
    Samantha Buck
    Samantha Buck
    • Zoe's Motheras Zoe's Mother
    Anne O'Shea
    Anne O'Shea
    • Administratoras Administrator
    Malachi Weir
    Malachi Weir
    • Manageras Manager
    Ellen Crown
    • Counseloras Counselor
    • Directors
      • Scott McGehee
      • David Siegel
    • Writers
      • Nancy Doyne(screenplay by)
      • Carroll Cartwright(screenplay by)
      • Henry James(based on the novel by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Fortissimo Films [nl]
    • divorce
    • court
    • changing a door lock
    • adultery
    • custody battle
    • 181 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Hold on with all your heart.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for some language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • Quotes

      Lincoln: I'm her... sorta... like... Maisie's stepfather.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Episode #10.26 (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Rockabye Baby
      Performed by Julianne Moore

    User reviews109

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    They don't deserve Maisie
    What Maisie Knew (2012), directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel, is an extraordinary movie about an extraordinary young girl. Maisie (Onata April) deserves better parents. Both her mother (Julianne Moore) and her father (Steve Coogan) are self-absorbed people who care about Maisie, but care about their careers more than about their daughter.

    Maisie is cheerful, cooperative, and adaptive. Although her life has all the trappings of luxury--a nanny, an exclusive private school--she lives in a precarious world. Her parents make only haphazard arrangements for her care. Sometimes these arrangements work, sometimes they don't. Once, the haphazard plans fall through, and Maisie is literally abandoned among strangers. We don't know what will happen next to Maisie, but it probably won't be good. Her parents don't deserve such a great little girl. But, she is their daughter, and she'll have to play the cards she's been dealt.

    The acting is strong in this movie, but I think the most impressive work is done by Julianne Moore. Moore is brave enough to take a role where she often looks tired and worn, and where her character is truly inadequate as a parent. You cringe at the way Moore makes stabs at being a good mother, but never quite works hard enough to actually achieve that goal. I think she deserves--and will get--an Oscar nomination for her work in this film.

    There are a few lovely views of a beach and the ocean in the movie. These will work better in a theater, but everything else will work well on the small screen. This is definitely a film that is worth seeking out and seeing.
    helpful•42
    10
    • Red-125
    • Jul 13, 2013

    FAQ1

    • What was the book that Lincoln gave Maisie?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • May 3, 2013 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Arada Kalan
    • Filming locations
      • The High Line, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Red Crown Productions
      • Weinstock Productions
      • 10th Hole Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,066,471
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $21,480
      • May 5, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,711,379
    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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