The Brooke Ellison Story (2004) (TV)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

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:

The movie was filmed at Tulane University in New Orleans, LA which fills in for film's supposed setting, Harvard University.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: At the end of Brooke's graduation speech, her mother is shown as the first person to stand during the ovation; however, after the camera scans the crowd, they show her mother finally stand on the stage.

Movie Connections:

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

Soundtrack:

It's Gonna Be Okay

I was left speechless. . .

This movie was too amazing to be down-sized by a couple of words. When I heard about this movie, I was very anxious to see it. I watched Brooke Ellison on Larry King a few days later, and I thought she was such an amazing person. The cast of this movie was outstanding. I forgot that I was watching a movie, I felt like it was the real thing. Christopher Reeve shone as a director, and no one will question his talent or work, the movie speaks for itself. I think this was just amazing and incredible. In the movie, Brooke Ellison's mother, Jean, told Brooke, "You can either contribute to this world or be paralyzed. The choice is yours." Brooke Ellison decided to contribute to this world, despite her disabilities, and I am sure she has inspired many people with spinal-cord injuries to make something of themselves. Brooke Ellison even inspires those of us without injuries to be the best we can be and Brooke's Story teaches us that we can't be paralyzed by the small things in life. We must keep going and enduring the pain while we continue on life's journey. Because, tragedy or triumph, pain or sadness, life is going to continue. Brooke Ellison is the type of person who proves how strong women are. The story also does a wonderful job of proving how strong a family can be. Brooke's accident could have easily torn her family apart, but they stayed together and grew closer than ever. With unconditional love and support from her family, and the undeniable love her mother, Brooke Ellison was able to go to Harvard and graduate summa cum laude from Harvard University, a huge challenge for anyone, disability or not. I wish Brooke Ellison the best of luck and I recommend that everyone watch The Brooke Ellison Story. *Christopher Reeve will be missed but he accomplished life's purpose, he spent live working to have something that would outlast it.*