Children on Their Birthdays
Children on Their Birthdays | |
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![]() Theatrical poster | |
Directed by | Mark Medoff |
Screenplay by | Douglas Sloan |
Based on | "Children on Their Birthdays" byTruman Capote |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Steven Shaw |
Edited by | Sidney Levin |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Artisan Entertainment Koch Media Moonstone Entertainment |
Release dates |
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Running time | 102 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Box office | $54,912[1] |
Children on Their Birthdaysis a 2002 Americanindependentcomedy dramafilm directed byMark Medoff,and starringSheryl Lee,Jesse Plemons,Joe Pichler,Tania Raymonde,Christopher McDonald,andTom Arnold.The screenplay is adapted by Douglas Sloan fromTruman Capote'sshort story of the same title.This was the last film appearance by Pichler before his disappearance in 2006.
The film premiered atWorldFest Houstonon March 23, 2002 and was given a limited theatrical release on October 18, 2002.
Plot[edit]
In the summer of 1947, thirteen-year-old Lily Jane Bobbit has moved with hermutemother to small-town Medda, Alabama, next door to Billy Bob Murphy. Billy Bob develops a crush on Lily Jane, who is a self-possessed Southern belle. Preacher, Billy Bob's rowdy best friend, also takes a liking to Lily Jane, complicating the two boys' friendship. Meanwhile, Billy Bob has a hard time accepting the budding romance between Elinore, his war-widowed mother, and local mechanic Speedy Thorne, whom he and Preacher do odd jobs for.
The town is shaken up by the arrival of Lionel Quince, acon man.When the Quinces announce they are staging a talent contest, Lily Jane, who dreams of being an actress, enters the competition. When the grifters make off with the entry fees, it is up to Billy Bob and Preacher to catch up to the crooks.
Cast[edit]
- Sheryl Leeas Elinore Murphy
- Jesse Plemonsas Preacher Star
- Joe Pichleras Billy Bob Murphy
- Tania Raymondeas Lily Jane Bobbit
- Christopher McDonaldas Speedy Thorne
- Tom Arnoldas Lionel Quince
- Phyllis Frelichas Mrs. Bobbit
- Brazha L. Brewer as Rosalba Cat
- Marilyn Dodds Frank as Mrs. Quince
Production[edit]
The film was shot inAurora,LemontandChicago,Illinois.[2]
Critical reception[edit]
Joe Leydon ofVarietygave the film a positive review, calling it an "unassuming, charming period piece".[3]He added, "Medoff gets fine work from his actors — note Tom Arnold's amusing oiliness as a grandiloquent con man — and transcends obvious budgetary restraints to enhance pic with evocative period flavor and detail."[3]Conversely,TV Guidesaid, "Because director Mark Medoff and screenwriter Douglas Sloan never quite get under the skin of Capote's quirky characters, especially the precocious Lily Jane, what should be a magically nostalgic tale seen through the eyes of a star-struck, small-town boy instead feels arch and brittle."[4]
AtWorldFest Houston,Children on Their Birthdayswon the Platinum Award for Independent Theatrical Feature Films - Family/Children.[5]
External links[edit]
Reference list[edit]
- ^"Children on Their Birthdays (2002) - Financial Information".The Numbers.
- ^"Children on Their Birthdays".Turner Classic Movie Database.RetrievedNovember 13,2023.
- ^abLeydon, Joe (May 22, 2002)."Children on Their Birthdays".Variety.RetrievedNovember 13,2023.
- ^"Children on Their Birthdays".TV Guide.RetrievedNovember 13,2023.
- ^"Mark Medoff".dramatists.com.RetrievedNovember 13,2023.
- 2002 films
- 2002 comedy-drama films
- 2002 directorial debut films
- 2002 independent films
- 2000s coming-of-age comedy-drama films
- Films set in 1947
- Films set in Alabama
- Films shot in Illinois
- American coming-of-age comedy-drama films
- American independent films
- Artisan Entertainment films
- Plaion
- Films based on American short stories
- Films based on works by Truman Capote
- 2000s English-language films