I like this movie. In general, my favorite movies are ones based on true stories, and this is a good story. Liz Murray is a good person born in a bad family. Her mother was always on drugs and booze, her father was an intellectual who detached himself. In an early scene, while mom and the two young daughters are fighting over whether the food money would actually go for food, or for drugs, the father Peter (Michael Riley in a good performance) is watching the TV show 'Jeopardy' and correctly answering all the questions, detaching himself from the argument. Near the end of the movie, when Liz tells her homeless dad, who now has AIDS, that she loves him, he responds, "Don't love me. It is a waste of energy. I'm not a people person."
Thora Birch narrates and plays the teenage Liz Murray who, after her mom dies of AIDS, talks herself into a good school, and is encouraged by her teacher David (Robert Bockstael). She works hard, becomes the top student in her school, catches up to do 4 years of school work in two. She gets a NY Times scholarship to attend Harvard. As the ending notes state, she left Harvard in 2003, not yet with a degree, but supports herself with fees she receives from her appearances. So, even without a Harvard degree, hers is an inspirational story, and Thora Birch is remarkably good.
The DVD included a 7-minute interview with the real Liz Murray. We only see her answers and comments, and get a good glimpse of this young woman. Of note, she doesn't believe her story is that extra ordinary, that many people set goals and accomplish what they want. Her humility is refreshing. She just wants a normal life.
Thora Birch narrates and plays the teenage Liz Murray who, after her mom dies of AIDS, talks herself into a good school, and is encouraged by her teacher David (Robert Bockstael). She works hard, becomes the top student in her school, catches up to do 4 years of school work in two. She gets a NY Times scholarship to attend Harvard. As the ending notes state, she left Harvard in 2003, not yet with a degree, but supports herself with fees she receives from her appearances. So, even without a Harvard degree, hers is an inspirational story, and Thora Birch is remarkably good.
The DVD included a 7-minute interview with the real Liz Murray. We only see her answers and comments, and get a good glimpse of this young woman. Of note, she doesn't believe her story is that extra ordinary, that many people set goals and accomplish what they want. Her humility is refreshing. She just wants a normal life.