My Louisiana Sky

I don't believe I've ever seen Juliette Lewis (JL) in a movie before so this was a good way to be introduced to her. I agree with the other comments about her doing well with her voice-I could just listen to her speak (kind of like how I feel about enjoying the way the British, Australians,and New Zealanders speak no matter what they are talking about). I found it was kind of like Anne of Green Gables (AGG) as well since the little girl in the movie who did some great acting wants to be known as Anne when she is in Baton Rouge is in order to "reinvent herself" like her aunt says. She did have a tomboy, tough side to her like Anne Shirley, and her grandmother did seem to be like the woman who takes in Anne to live with her and Matthew on the farm in AGG. She definitely isn't up to the acting talent of Megan Follows (where is she now-I'd love to see her in more movies) but still she does a commendable job. I think the woman that played the girl's mother in this movie was quite believable as a woman who had some mental difficulties. At the beginning I was wondering if the sister who had gone on to better things would be kind of prissy to everyone like she was overly glad to get out of the little farm area but I was pleasantly surprised to see that she was very gentle, kind, and loving to all. I would have liked to know exactly what her job was as she was referred to as a "working girl" from Magnolia, but what did she actually do that made her afford having someone take of the house, how she can have such a great car, clothes, and even mention putting Anne in a private school someday. That was the only question mark I found in the movie and I was glad to see the father be seen as a smart (yet slow) guy when he helped protect the plants at the nursery. Another part of the storyline I think they could have expanded on is having the father's boss congratulate him of making wise choices in regards to the plants when the big storm hit-he mentions he wants him to take of things but it would have been nice to have closure w/the boss coming back to say thanks for all his help.

It proves that family is important no matter who they are or what we think is wrong with them, or ourselves.

It also proves we don't have to have all the filthy language in a movie for it to be interesting and encouraging.

Kelsey Keel deserved the Emmy she received for a great performance as the focal character in this story.

Another aspect is the apparent lack of sophistication of some characters, definitely does not signify a lack of importance to their family or community.

This is an excellent lesson in human value regardless of mental state, race, sex, social standing, or location

I hope you take the time to watch it.

This is a jewel of a movie. Definitely a story I haven't seen before. And it's a beautiful place and time. Every character is perfectly interesting and perfectly portrayed. Not a moment of this movie is wasted. And it's also great for everyone. A movie you can share with the whole family. I love this movie. As I got ready to post I saw that the Director was Adam Arkin. I've always loved the work of he and his father. They have a fantastic authenticity.

This is a true family film and an exceptional one at that. Tiger Ann is a 12-year-old living in a rural town in Louisiana, with her parents and grandmother. It is the summer of 1957 and the family is celebrating her grandmother's birthday. The viewer soon notices there is something odd about Tiger Ann's mother. She acts like a child! Her father, too, obviously has some developmental problems, but holds a job at a nursery, and is considered the best employee there by his boss.

When Tiger Ann's aunt comes from Baton Rouge for the birthday, she notices the conflict between her and her grandmother. She also is becoming more aware of how other kids view her mother, and how the family has less money than others. Her glamourous aunt, on the other hand, is a working girl, with a beautiful car and apartment. Tiger Ann wants to be like her, instead of the hard working farm girl she is in the summer, where she has to take care of chicks, as well as pick fruits and vegetables.

Tragedy strikes that summer in two big ways, and Tiger Ann might get what she wishes for, but is it truly what she wants? While all the actors in this film are great, I thought Chris Owens was the most exceptional one of them all. As Tiger Ann's father Lonnie, he created a memorable character impossible to ever forget. This is the type of film you fear is going to be either too depressing or too sugary, but it turns out to be neither, and you are so glad you saw it.

This is a winning and whimsical tale of a girl coming-of-age in rural Louisiana in the 1950's. Kelsey Keel has a winning debut as Tiger Ann, the central character. And her chemistries in the three main relationships with her grandmother (Shirley Knight), retarded mother (Amelia Campbell), and sophisticated aunt (Juliette Lewis) are superb. The costumes are delicious. And the emotions are genuine. Adam Arkin does a great job getting an honest salt-of-the-Earth feel from building a brilliantly realized Canadian abstraction of the time and place. This is one movie worth watching even if you already read the book.