Ellen Foster

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.

I was astonished to read the review characterizing Ellen as a "brat" who "couldn't get along with anybody." The title character in the story is sweet, gentle, and patient (although sometimes pushed to the point of frustration with people who repeatedly trample her.) She, in fact, gets along with everyone in the movie who is even slightly kind to her. The movie is a heartwarming and thought-provoking story that avoids being whiney or saccharrine-sweet.

Anyone with a heart could not help but like this movie. There was not a dry eye in the room, as we watched the movie. Ellen Foster shines, whether she is smiling or crying in the movie. The emotion she is feeling is expressed without words. She is a bright and intelligent little girl, mature beyond her years because of her circumstances. Abused by her father and abandoned by her relatives, she overcomes the trials life hands her and finds a place to belong. Isn't that what all people strive for in the end?

I give this movie a ten out of ten. I would recommend that people view it with an open mind.

Jena Malone is an actress to look out for, she is very talented. No wonder she played a young Ellie in the Jodie Foster movie Contact. Her quality reminds me of Jodie Foster.

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.

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.