Rowena Lawson (Anne Heche) and her kids are left homeless after her biker boyfriend gets arrested. They even leave behind their dog as they crash with her religious mother Louela Lawson (Diane Ladd). Rowena continues her drug use and her sleazy boyfriend tries to rape her oldest daughter Gracie Thompson (Kristen Bell). Rowena gets arrested for dealing. The family is split up among youth facilities. The kids are reunited in their grandmother's home while Rowena is locked up. Tommy is infatuated with Gracie. The second daughter Rose Carlton gets knocked up and moves in with her boyfriend. Rowena comes back after getting out of jail and starts stealing the welfare money. At 17, Gracie battles to gain guardianship over her younger step-siblings.
It's a sincere Lifetime movie. The story is very much the expected melodrama. The good comes from excellent work from the actresses. Diane Ladd is the veteran hand. Anne Heche is great as the wild mother. Kristen Bell delivers a solid effort in an early staring role. It's a TV movie elevated by the superior actresses.
It's a sincere Lifetime movie. The story is very much the expected melodrama. The good comes from excellent work from the actresses. Diane Ladd is the veteran hand. Anne Heche is great as the wild mother. Kristen Bell delivers a solid effort in an early staring role. It's a TV movie elevated by the superior actresses.