Plot
A teenager journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother goes to prison for committing a crime of passion.
Release Year: 2002
Rating: 7.0/10 (16,384 voted)
Critic's Score: 61/100
Director:
Peter Kosminsky
Stars: Michelle Pfeiffer, Renée Zellweger, Robin Wright
Storyline Astrid Magnussen is a 15 year old girl, living in California. Her mother, Ingrid, is a beautiful, free-spirited poet. Their life, though unusual, is satisfying until one day, a man named Barry Kolker (that her mother refers to at first as "The goat man") comes into their lives, and Ingrid falls madly in love with him, only to have her heart broken, and her life ruined. For revenge, Ingrid murders Barry with the deadly poison of her favourite flower: The White Oleander. She is sent to prison for life, and Astrid has to go through foster home after foster home. Throughout nearly a decade she experiences forbidden love, religion, near-death experiences, drugs, starvation, and how it feels to be loved. But throughout these years, she keeps in touch with her mother via letters to prison. And while Ingrid's gift is to give Astrid the power to survive, Astrid's gift is to teach her Mother about love.
Writers: Janet Fitch, Mary Agnes Donoghue
Cast: Amy Aquino
-
Miss Martinez
John Billingsley
-
Paramedic
Elisa Bocanegra
-
Girl in Fight
Darlene Bohorquez
-
Prisoner
Solomon Burke Jr.
-
Guard
Scott Allan Campbell
-
Bill Greenway
Sam Catlin
-
Teacher
Debra Christofferson
-
Marlena
Billy Connolly
-
Barry Kolker
Marc Donato
-
Davey Thomas
Svetlana Efremova
-
Rena Gruschenka
Patrick Fugit
-
Paul Trout
Vernon Haas
-
Guard
Sean Happy
-
Dirt Bike Boyfriend
Cole Hauser
-
Ray
Taglines:
Where does a mother end and a daughter begin?
Filming Locations: Airport Courthouse - 11701 S. La Cienega Blvd., Ladera Heights, Los Angeles, California, USA
Box Office Details
Budget: $16,000,000
(estimated)
Opening Weekend: $5,607,480
(USA)
(13 October 2002)
(1510 Screens)
Gross: $21,229,200
(Worldwide)
(2002)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
Many people in the film industry felt sure that Michelle Pfeiffer would receive an Oscar nomination for her turn as the murderous mother, but the film's failure at the box-office coupled with the aggressive marketing campaign for
Chicago actresses Queen Latifah and Catherine Zeta-Jones in the same category, Pfeiffer failed to get a nomination.
Goofs:
Continuity:
When Uncle Ray and Astrid are outside watching the meteor shower he lights a cigarette but when he takes a puff and pulls it away to blow out the smoke there is no smoke and the cigarette is not lit. When Starr comes out and asks what he is doing the cigarette is lit and smoldering.
Quotes: Paul:
I get this feeling like... you're not interested in guys. Astrid:
You're right, I'm not.
User Review
Acting was amazing
Rating: 9/10
I have just one word: Wow.
I saw this movie not expecting much and was completely blown away. The
story and especially the acting was incredible! INCREDIBLE. I am now
and forever will be a devoted Alison Lohman fan. I've never seen anyone
take a character and make it more real than she did with Astrid. She
made me cry more than once. It is amazing to watch it all the way
through and then start it over again just to reaffirm the amazing
transformation the character goes through from beginning to end. She
not only looks different but her mannerisms are also so innocent and
naive in the beginning. It's unbelievable. I have to say I am
completely angry that her acting was not mentioned in any awards,
nominations, or anything by Hollywood.
All the acting was incredible. Robin Penn, Renee' Zellwegger, Michelle
Pfieffer; all did outstanding! I've never hated Michelle Pfieffer
before but she did an incredible job being someone you could truly be
disgusted with. Also loved the job...and sorry to do this but the guy
who was in Almost Famous...have no idea what his name is...did. The
love story between Astrid and him is very sweet.
As I said before I was very blown away by this movie. I would recommend
it to anyone and everyone and hope it gets more popular as time goes
on.
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