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IMDbPro

Trapped in a Purple Haze

  • TV Movie
  • 2000
  • TV-14
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
613
YOUR RATING
Trapped in a Purple Haze (2000)
CrimeDramaSport

When a charismatic teenager falters under constant pressure from his parents and school, he makes a potentially deadly mistake, when he meets Molly, a carefree young woman who gets him to st... Read allWhen a charismatic teenager falters under constant pressure from his parents and school, he makes a potentially deadly mistake, when he meets Molly, a carefree young woman who gets him to start using heroin, his world slowly falls apart.When a charismatic teenager falters under constant pressure from his parents and school, he makes a potentially deadly mistake, when he meets Molly, a carefree young woman who gets him to start using heroin, his world slowly falls apart.

  • Director
    • Eric Laneuville
  • Writer
    • Mimi Schmir
  • Stars
    • Jonathan Jackson
    • JoBeth Williams
    • Carly Pope
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    613
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Eric Laneuville
    • Writer
      • Mimi Schmir
    • Stars
      • Jonathan Jackson
      • JoBeth Williams
      • Carly Pope
    • 14User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos6

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    Top cast26

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    Jonathan Jackson
    Jonathan Jackson
    • Max Hanson
    JoBeth Williams
    JoBeth Williams
    • Sophie Hanson
    Carly Pope
    Carly Pope
    • Molly White
    Robin Dunne
    Robin Dunne
    • Brian Hanson
    Amy Stewart
    Amy Stewart
    • Kate Coppola
    Meghan Duffy
    Meghan Duffy
    • Sam Wilkins
    Colm Feore
    Colm Feore
    • Ed Hanson
    Hayden Christensen
    Hayden Christensen
    • Orin Krieg
    Mallory Margel
    • Chloe Hanson
    Carlo Rota
    Carlo Rota
    • David Lebeff
    Evan Sabba
    Evan Sabba
    • Jasper
    Pixie Bigelow
    Pixie Bigelow
    • Anna Roche
    Sheila Brand
    • Genie
    Jim Codrington
    Jim Codrington
    • Police Officer
    Steve Cumyn
    Steve Cumyn
    • Peter
    Roger Dunn
    Roger Dunn
    • Coach Lucky
    David Fraser
    David Fraser
    • Dr. Miller
    Joan Gregson
    • Eloise Marshall
    • Director
      • Eric Laneuville
    • Writer
      • Mimi Schmir
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews14

    6.9613
    1
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    10

    Featured reviews

    Cherrie-2

    A movie with more than words

    There's only one word to describe this movie.....AMAZING!!!

    No one can play the role of a-normal-teenage-boy-turned-druggies better than none other than Jonathan Jackson.....

    I loved him in General Hospital....but when I saw this movie, I couldn't be more proud to call him my favourite actor of all time........he's done a brilliant job, and his acting left me speechless.

    The rest of the cast was incredible, they supported what's needed in this movie.......A professional cast!

    If you missed out on this movie, you missed out on a true acting skills!
    9MarieGabrielle

    well directed...

    This film is a realistic portrayal of the problems faced by Max (well-portrayed by Jonathan Jackson). He is drawn into a relationship with a female student (Carly Pope) who seems to just be temperamental at first, but then it unravels as she is on drugs (heroin) and brings Max into her world.

    JoBeth Williams is Max's mom and Colm Feore (as the Dad) gives a realistic performance of a man who loves his son and offers help. For some reason Max's mother has issues with this, and her son ends up on the street. Some of the scenes as when she sees her son pan-handling at the mall, and chooses to avoid him, are realistic and disturbing. There is a sad scene toward the end.

    This film has a good message as it addresses Max's point of view. He just wants to fit in and be with his girlfriend (Carly Pope). Highly recommended. 9/10.
    loraine2

    A realistic, engaging story

    Max Hanson (Jonathan Jackson) feels pressured on all sides. His mother wants one thing for him, his friends want another. Max isn't sure what he really wants for himself. Then he meets Molly (Carly Pope). Molly is everything that Max isn't. Free, happy, open. He starts dating her, and she gets him on drugs. Turns out she isn't so free or happy after all. And neither is Max anymore.

    We follow Max in his downward spiral to addiction. We see him begin to lose everything he has worked for, family, friends, hockey, school, painting... Instead, his life turns to one of drugs, sex, crime, highs, and lows.

    The acting is incredible, especially for a made-for-TV movie, and look for Hayden Christensen in a bit part as Orin Krieg, one of Max's friends (the hockey goalie and video store clerk). JoBeth Williams is outstanding as Max's overbearing mother.

    If you can find it, this one is worth viewing.
    10fate_vs_destiny

    Darker side of Life

    "Trapped in a Purple Haze" is a great movie flick that will guarantee to engage teenage viewers until the very end. It shows the viewers the darker, less respectful side of life of a teenage boy, Max. The movie is set during Max's stage where he is on his road to self discovery and when he is at his most vulnerable stage ultimately leading him into the world of drugs. Before seeing this movie I personally thought that men were the ones that influenced women into doing drugs but this movie was a great contradictory statement for me as it showed me a different viewpoint that women can be just as influential and seductive. "Trapped in a Purple Haze" is of the desperate struggles of a boy wanting to get his life back on the road. A fantastic movie full of life's lessons and morals that will guarantee to touch everyone's heart in one way or another.
    10az1927

    10 out of 10 - easily

    This movie is definitely the best, if not then one of the best movies ever to highlight the teenage lifestyle we go through. The film actually brought a tear to my eye - the first film EVER to do so - and the storyline was nothing what I had imagined it to be. Finally, we have a film that truly does show teenage drug culture at it's worst (and best, in a way). It's kind of a Pete Doherty story (or would be if he would sort himself out!), and I'm afraid I have to admit, had I not watched Phone Booth before Purple Haze, I probably would have cried! My girlfriend and I watched it last night, and I had to grip her hand at parts, it got to me that much. It's one of those films that, if you don't see things before, this will put everything (and life, in general) into perspective. 5 star, 10 out of 10, 100%, A*, A+ rating for Trapped In A Purple Haze.

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    Related interests

    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
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    Sport

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Orin Krieg: May I help you?

      Molly White: I guess. We're looking for 'Aracnophobia'.

      Orin Krieg: Well, that'd be in the Horror section. Shall I find it for you?

      Molly White: No thanks, we can find that ourselves.

    • Connections
      References The Uninvited (1944)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 17, 2000 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Pearson Television
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 母愛真要命
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • American Broadcasting Company (ABC)
      • Pearson Television International
      • Thomas Carter Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h(120 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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