The sweet title character (Jena Malone) is an abused child whose mother (Glynnis O'Connor) has died, passed on from relative to relative after being taken away from her drunkard of a father (Ted Levine), including a nasty grandmother (Julie Harris in a surprisingly shocking role), aunts who don't really want her (Deborah Monk and Barbara Garrick) and later taken to a bunch of foster homes. The surrogates families that she finds, including a black one, treat her much better than her own family, and it's heartbreaking to see the abuse that this poor little girl goes through just trying to find someone who loves her unconditionally.
It is so surprising to see Julie Harris being so nasty, a variation of Miss Daisy (a role Harris actually toured in) without the heart, hating her granddaughter simply because of her father. Allison Jones is sweet but tough as Ellen's best friend who happens to be black, the daughter of the happily married Lynne Moody and Bill Dunne who are very warm to her. She's also looked over by another black couple (her grandmother's maid and chauffeur), played by Lorena Gale and Charles Woods Gray, as well as the kind couple who tried to adopt her (Timothy Olyphant and Amanda Peet) which resulted in a court case.
The level of evil and coldness in Ellen's family on both sides outside of her mother is depressing to watch, with grandma Harris the worst type of Christian. The Christian filled with complete hate and judgment. Seeing her standing up and singing in church is revolting, and Harris (who usually played nice characters no matter how neurotic they were) proves that she is capable of playing pretty much any kind of character. It is depressing yet well written, because it continues to show hope in spite of what for Helen goes through.
I love Ellen's reaction to Grandma's stroke, "what a bummer", which could have several hidden meanings. But even a stroke doesn't wake her up to her cruelty even though Ellen goes out of her way to nurse her through her recovery. Malone gives a really touching performance as the long suffering young girl, a role that would have been overplayed by even the most popular of the classic child stars. Malone is a complete natural and wins the audience's heart in the process.
It is so surprising to see Julie Harris being so nasty, a variation of Miss Daisy (a role Harris actually toured in) without the heart, hating her granddaughter simply because of her father. Allison Jones is sweet but tough as Ellen's best friend who happens to be black, the daughter of the happily married Lynne Moody and Bill Dunne who are very warm to her. She's also looked over by another black couple (her grandmother's maid and chauffeur), played by Lorena Gale and Charles Woods Gray, as well as the kind couple who tried to adopt her (Timothy Olyphant and Amanda Peet) which resulted in a court case.
The level of evil and coldness in Ellen's family on both sides outside of her mother is depressing to watch, with grandma Harris the worst type of Christian. The Christian filled with complete hate and judgment. Seeing her standing up and singing in church is revolting, and Harris (who usually played nice characters no matter how neurotic they were) proves that she is capable of playing pretty much any kind of character. It is depressing yet well written, because it continues to show hope in spite of what for Helen goes through.
I love Ellen's reaction to Grandma's stroke, "what a bummer", which could have several hidden meanings. But even a stroke doesn't wake her up to her cruelty even though Ellen goes out of her way to nurse her through her recovery. Malone gives a really touching performance as the long suffering young girl, a role that would have been overplayed by even the most popular of the classic child stars. Malone is a complete natural and wins the audience's heart in the process.