Saturday, September 12, 2009

Pictures of Hollis Woods

MOVIE REVIEW

Pictures of Hollis Woods:
Hallmark Hall of Fame movie starring Sissy Spacek, Alfre Woodard, and James Tupper. This moving story ends around Christmas-time.


CAST:

Jodelle Ferland ... Hollis Woods
Sissy Spacek ... Josie Cahill
Alfre Woodard ... Edna Reilly
James Tupper ... John Regan
Ridge Canipe ... Steven Regan
Julie Ann Emery ... Izzy Reagan
Judith Ivey ... Beatrice Gilcrest











PLOT:

from CBS:

Academy Award winner Sissy Spacek, Academy Award nominee Alfre Woodard and James Tupper star in this story of a 12-year-old girl who bounces around the foster care system all her life until she meets a former art teacher who understands her and gives her unconditional love.

Abandoned as a baby, Hollis Woods (Ferland) has been in more foster homes than she can count. Edna (Woodard), her more than patient social worker, is at her wits end when she places Hollis in the home of Josie (Spacek), a retired teacher whose house and yard are filled with her own artistic creations. Josie immediately takes to Hollis. She understands the troubled youngster and is delighted to discover that Hollis is an artist herself.

Hollis responds to Josie's warmth and openness, and begins to feel like she's found a place to call home. But Hollis becomes alarmed when she realizes that Josie is growing increasingly forgetful and confused by routine tasks. Hollis is afraid that when Edna becomes aware of the problem, Hollis will be forced to move again.

In an attempt to stay together, Hollis plans a bold escape and takes Josie to the vacant summer home of the Regan family, the foster family with whom Hollis spent the previous summer. The Regans wanted to adopt Hollis and the skeptical young girl had gradually come to believe that might be possible. But when the Regans' teenaged son was seriously injured in an accident, things fell apart for Hollis again. Returning to the Regan home is bittersweet for her.

On the run, Hollis and Josie's plight becomes more desperate as Josie's forgetfulness grows worse and 12-year-old Hollis must now take care of her instead of the other way around.

Tupper plays John Regan, Stephen's father, who really wants Hollis to join their family.








Movie Review:

This is a beautiful story. I was deeply touched by the story of sweet, gentle Hollis Woods... looking for the love of a family while loving and giving so much back to the families who reach out to her.

Young children may not understand the story of Josie, who is facing forgetfulness, however it is an excellent story of teaching.

SPOILER: There is a happy ending for Hollis Woods who finds a loving family at Christmas-time!



See or Skip:

See, with your family.




5 comments:

  1. I loved this movie. It wasn't filled with sex and violence...The storyline and acting were superb. It's been a long time since I've cried while watching a movie. It was so sad for Hollis to feel she brought woe to each life she touched. I wasn't sure how things would work out. I'll recommend the movie to others.

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  2. i read the book i loved it

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  3. My daughter just started reading this book, and I'm way happy about it. She's had a rough life, but I've never regretted adopting her. I think it's time she hears the love that awaits her from a different perspective, someone who's been where she's been and finds love and acceptance from an adoptive family. That's what I want to offer, too.

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    Replies
    1. I know this is years after your comment but I highly recommend "Ordinary Miracles." It too is a beautiful story of someone who is looking for a family, for love and acceptance. Sally is a foster child who has been tossed from place to place and finally finds someone who takes a chance on her, a no nonsense judge (played by Jacklyn Smith). My favorite line is at the end, Sally says she just doesn't fit in anywhere. The Judge pulls her into a hug and says, "you fit just fine right here."
      I think stories like "Pictures of Hollis Woods" and "Ordinary Miracles" need to be told! Foster children and adoption can be tough issues but Hallmark has handled them beautifully.

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  4. I am so glad that this story of Hollis Woods has touched so many lives.

    For the "Anonymous" reviewer directly above: I am so glad to hear that this book has been so helpful for your daughter who was chosen by your family in love.

    You sound like a wonderful, concerned and caring parent, who wants the best for your daughter. Unconditional Love and Acceptance are the greatest gifts we can give one another...

    God bless you both!

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