Amy & Isabelle (2001) (TV)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Lloyd Kramer

Writers (WGA):

Elizabeth Strout (novel)
Joyce Eliason (teleplay) ...

Release Date:

4 March 2001 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

The story of a mother and a daughter with nothing in common but the same dark secret.

Plot:

In 1971, in the small town of Shirley Falls, in Maine, the odd and lonely secretary Isabelle Goodrow raises her teenager daughter Amy alone...

Plot Keywords:

1970s | Coming Of Age | Based On Novel | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Elisabeth Shue	...	Isabelle Goodrow
Hanna Hall	...	Amy Goodrow (as Hanna R. Hall)
Martin Donovan	...	Peter Robertson
Conchata Ferrell	...	Bev
Viola Davis	...	Dottie
Marylouise Burke	...	Arlene
Amy Wright	...	Rosie
Ann Dowd	...	Lenora
Stephi Lineburg	...	Stacy
Barbara Garrick
Caroline Kava
James Rebhorn	...	Avery Clark
Matt Lutz	...	Paul Bellows
Aubrey Dollar	...	Karen Keane
Ashton Lunceford	...	Julie McGinn

Also Known As:

Oprah Winfrey Presents: Amy and Isabelle (USA) (complete title)

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:Unrated | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Danville, Virginia, USA

Company:

Harpo Films

Much better than other Oprah Winfrey movies

To my surprise I actually found this movie enjoyable. I missed it on television...I believe on purpose. You know how most Oprah Winfrey movies are... Her being an ignorant oppressed black woman. With nappy, unbrushed hair. But thankfully, Oprah wasn't in this flick. This movie starred Elizabeth Shue (The Saint) as Isabelle. Isabelle has a deep dark secret that not even her daughter knows. She covers it up and hides it from the whole town. She is shielding her daughter, Amy, played by Hanna Hall (Forest Gump, The Virgin Suicides) from the world, just as her mother had done to her. But this does Amy more hurt than good.

Soon, Amy forms an unhealthy bond with her math teacher Peter Robertson horribly played by Martin Donovan (II). This relationship goes way to far and ends up with Amy and Mr. Robertson having sex. When Isabelle finds out about it, she cuts off all of Amy's beautiful, blonde, thick hair.

The movie's acting is pretty good. Hanna Hall is perfect as a confused and angry teen. Elizabeth Shue, who was thought to be too young and too pretty for the part, did an excellent job as Isabelle. The only objection in acting that I have is with Martin Donovan. He plays the disgusting pedophile with no passion. He doesn't even look like he wants to be there.

This movie is generally pretty decent. The narration gets kind of boring at times. I didn't fully understand the importance of the kidnapped girl, or Dottie's UFO sighting. If you can get your hands on this, it's worth watching. Definitely no "Before Women Had Wings" or "Beloved"...both being a good thing. 7 out of 10.