Ellen Foster

I think it'd be a fair assessment that most - heck, ALL Hallmark TV movies are guaranteed to send a message to the viewer, plucking the heartstrings the whole while. And that is certainly true of this movie as well. But this particular film has something special going for it that perhaps the others do not - and that is superlative acting. Young Jena Malone is a major talent who I hope will be given every opportunity to strut her stuff in the future. And Julie Harris is deliciously evil in her role as the Grandmother.

Ted Levine as the uncaring, self-centered alcoholic father....perfection! This is again a situation where the actor rises above the material to turn in a performance that another actor could have easily utilized for his best scenery chewing. Mr. Levine is one of the finest - and in my opinion - most underused actors around today. Let's just hope that for him, like Ms. Malone, every opportunity will be afforded him in the future to dazzle us with his outstanding ability. He simply shines in everything he does!

Did I like this film? You bet! Is it for everyone? Perhaps not - but see it for the ACTING, if nothing else. Enjoy.

I am usually a fan of Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movies, but this one failed to win my heart. At best, it was a SEMI- entertaining flick with Jena Malone playing a "troubled" girl (now is that creative or what?)who fails to get along with completely anybody. In other words, she's a complete little brat. If I want to see a movie about a troubled child, I will watch the first half of Jane Eyre. At least that one is entertaining and shows a vague human side behind all of Jane's "fiestiness." I failed to make the same connection with Ellen and that makes for a rather unlikeable little character and a none too likeable film. I'd give it a five out of ten at MOST.

Ellen Foster is the story of a 10 year old girl desperately searching for a true family to call her own. When her mother dies she is left with her father until taken away when the school learns he hits her. She stays with a teacher who volunteers to take her in and who gives her a taste of what a happy family could be like. This ends when her harridan of a grandmother lies in court by telling the judge that she wants custody. Turns out she just wants cheap slave labor, and she goes so far as to tell Ellen that she intends on making her pay for the death of her mother, though Ellen had nothing to do with anything that the father did to her. Soon the grandmother has a stroke and then dies. She is taken in by one of her aunts who is nicer than the grandmother but only on the surface. Ellen's cousin despises her and this situation soon leads to a fight that has Ellen leaving the house on Christmas Day to go to The Foster house. She thinks that the home is a family named Foster, but it is a woman who takes in girls that are unwanted or orphaned. Jena Malone as in her previous film, Bastard Out of Carolina, stars as the abused child, but rather than seem like the pedestrian movie of the week, it is a standout performance. She may still be considered a child actress, but it is very hard not to notice that she's got some great acting chops.

Like many Hall of Fame movies, this is not a romance. There isn't even a romance side story. This movie has a depressing tone through all most all of it. There are some funny moments sprinkled in but they are overwhelmed by the darkness. Basically this is a story of a child who is abused. Most of the abuse is emotional and it is severe. She gets hit at least once. Her sick mother dies in her arms and after that she gets shuffled into mostly bad situations. The worst part for Ellen is that almost everyone, with two exceptions, not only doesn't want her but takes joy in making her suffer. The theme of being wanted is the heart of the story.

This movie is set in the South where "white trash" is a thing. Many of the characters in the movie, especially Ellen's relatives, consider her father to be white trash and that extends to Ellen by relation.

This movie examines the irony that when it comes to social services, family is worse than the system. In the first court case, the judge is adamant that family is supreme and that Ellen belongs with members of her family. (Was there no report by a social worker in this case? Hmm.) This despite a speech by Ellen criticizing her family members and expressing the desire to remain with an unrelated couple who loves her. Actually, in this regard, the system is pretty bad, meaning the court, but foster families are viewed as wonderful by comparison to relatives.

Jena Malone dominates the movie as what I think is a ten year old girl. Ellen's courage and perseverance are amazing. I find it hard to believe that such a person could exist given what happens to her.

As I said, the tone of the movie is mostly depressing. Despite that, the story held my interest. The pace was good. The character Ellen draws in the viewer.

This is a beautiful story about a young girl's (Malone) search for a stable, permanent place to call HOME. After her mother dies, she's sent to a series of different homes. For one reason or another, none of them work out. Then something happens (I don't want to give away the story here) that gives her hope of finding the home she longs for. She displays extraordinary strength and courage throughout the film. Despite everything she's put through, she never gives up. This was a moving and inspirational film. Jena Malone is excellent, truly one of the finest young actors in the business. She gives an outstanding performance in this film. It worth seeing just for that, if nothing else.