The Brooke Ellison Story (2004) (TV)

Director:

Christopher Reeve

Writers (WGA):

Brooke Ellison (book) and
Jean Ellison (book) ...

Release Date:

25 October 2004 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama

Plot:

Rendered a quadriplegic since a child from a near-fatal neck injury, a young girl fights against all odds to succeed in life from grade school to her acceptance into college under the assistance of her loyal and dedicated mother. |

Plot Keywords:

Quadriplegic | College | High School | Based On True Story | Character Name In Title

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio	...	Jean Ellison
John Slattery	...	Ed Ellison
Lacey Chabert	...	Brooke Ellison
Vanessa Marano	...	Young Brooke Ellison
Jenson Goins	...	Young Kysten Ellison
Devon Gearhart	...	Young Reed Ellison
Lauren Barrett	...	Older Kysten Ellison
Ryan Hudson	...	Reed Ellison
Luke Flynn	...	Jan Djilas
Terrence Gibney	...	Mr. Barnes (as Terence Gibney)
Sabah	...	Cara
Jerry Lee Leighton	...	Mr. Linski
Ramona Tyler	...	Bobbi (as Ramona Tyler)
Melinda Walsh	...	Barbara
Judy Leavell	...	Muriel

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements and language.

Runtime:

120 min (including commercials) | Brazil:91 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, USA

Company:

A&E Television Networks

Trivia:

Christopher Reeve's final directing project.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: After Brooke enters the classroom for the first time in her wheelchair, you can see her right hand move, possibly to control the wheelchair while she turned it around.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Heart of a Hero: A Tribute to Christopher Reeve (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

It's Gonna Be Okay

Extraordinary!

Imagine the world if we all demonstrated the kind of dignity, bravery, and integrity that Christopher Reeve showed us. The entire film was a testament to his creative brilliance as a film maker and his personal commitment to give voice to people who live with (not 'suffer from') spinal cord injury. "Contribute to the world or be paralyzed. It's your choice." What a legacy he left for all of us.

Just one thing to add to all the comments: It was not only Brooke's mother who sacrificed and stood by her daughter to help her achieve success: Her father also demonstrated the kind of unwaivering strength and unselfishness we rarely see today. His contributions were every bit as important as his wife's. Mostly, though, it was Brooke's own spirit, determination and, well, GUTS that propelled this story. Cheers to a beautifully executed project and a lasting gift to the world.