[go: up one dir, main page]

    Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story

  • TV Movie
  • 2005
  • Not Rated
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
420
YOUR RATING
Jami Gertz in Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story (2005)
BiographyDrama

Based on a true story, former parole officer Marilyn Gambrell and a colleague set up a pioneer trial-based program in one of America's toughest high schools to help the children of incarcera... Read allBased on a true story, former parole officer Marilyn Gambrell and a colleague set up a pioneer trial-based program in one of America's toughest high schools to help the children of incarcerated parents regain control of their own lives and not expect the same thing to happen as i... Read allBased on a true story, former parole officer Marilyn Gambrell and a colleague set up a pioneer trial-based program in one of America's toughest high schools to help the children of incarcerated parents regain control of their own lives and not expect the same thing to happen as it did to their parents. To the surprise of everyone, the program works, but the administra... Read all

  • Director
    • Andy Wolk
  • Writers
    • Andy Wolk
    • Peter Wolk
  • Stars
    • Jami Gertz
    • Ernie Hudson
    • Eugene Clark
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    420
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Andy Wolk
    • Writers
      • Andy Wolk
      • Peter Wolk
    • Stars
      • Jami Gertz
      • Ernie Hudson
      • Eugene Clark
    • 13User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos2

    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast48

    Edit
    Jami Gertz
    Jami Gertz
    • Marilyn Gambrell
    Ernie Hudson
    Ernie Hudson
    • Perry Beasley
    Eugene Clark
    Eugene Clark
    • Reginald Spivey
    Sicily Johnson
    Sicily Johnson
    • Lisa Jones
    • (as Sicily Sewell)
    Stacy Meadows
    • Cody
    • (as Stacy Meadows Jr.)
    Trent Cameron
    • Jamal
    Edwin Hodge
    Edwin Hodge
    • Darnell
    Zak Santiago
    Zak Santiago
    • Ed Rivera
    Regine Nehy
    Regine Nehy
    • Valerie
    Michasha Armstrong
    • Frank, Jamal's Stepfather
    James Baker
    • Cop
    Ron Carothers
    • Jamal's Father
    • (as Ronald Carothers)
    Kaya Coleman
    Kaya Coleman
    • Little Kid
    Jorge Vargas
    Jorge Vargas
    • Miguel
    • (as Jorgito Vargas Jr.)
    Pamela Crawford
    • Grandmother
    Andrea D'Amours
    Andrea D'Amours
    • Waitress
    Skerivet Daramola
    • Defense Attorney
    Joyce Doolittle
    • Judge
    • Director
      • Andy Wolk
    • Writers
      • Andy Wolk
      • Peter Wolk
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews13

    6.6420
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    10smacmillan0187

    Incredible

    Honestly, this movie is beyond inspirational, and to simply say the movie is incredible would be an immense understatement. Jami Gertz' performance is heartfelt and the role was simply just for her. The storyline is very frightening indeed; what I found to be a profound insult to the proposed "No More Victims" program was the beyond negative attitude from the faculty toward the students. The movie portrayed each individual character to the utmost extent, to the point where you could actually feel for the character, and thus, feel for the victim. This movie has become one of my favorites of all time. To say the least, i believe every school in America should have a similar program, or at least use the film as an educational tool. In regards to the statement that Gambrell's character was intrusive and such: who else did the students have in their lives to make a difference? Nobody; everyone believed them to be the pit of society's worst, and frankly, she cared enough. She not only cared, but actually DID something about it, something half of us are too scared to do.
    9FKrouse

    Recommended

    This movie is good. Strong script and well acted. Must see especially if you liked Dangerous Minds. Marilyn Gambrell is an inspiration and strives to make a difference in the community she comes from. Gambrell a former parole officer, and a former co worker, gets involved with the students from Smiley High School. Gambrell a white female, is seen as an outsider and has to earn the respect of the students. Her main focus is on children of parent or parents whom are in jail. She is hoping to break the chain, so future children will not end up in prison. She strives to show each child they are loved and no longer victims. She has started a foundation, No More Victims. Emotional scenes in this movie were portrayed very well. I highly recommend.
    10Ghostwriter14

    One Of The Best Movies I've Seen In A Long Time!

    It was so awesome and inspirational! I enjoyed it so much! I watched it for Jami Gertz because she's such a wonderful actress and was pleasantly surprised to see Jorge Vargas (Auggie from Higher Ground) in it as well. I was also interested in it because it was based on a true story and I've always been such a sucker for true stories. Jamie Gertz was excellent! Jorge Vargas was wonderful! The trust and respect the real Marilyn Gambrell instilled in the kids was sensational. I truly believe the United States would benefit if more programs Like No More Victims were added to the school curriculum. I'm sure there are a lot of kids who seem like they're bad to the bone, and yet, they're hurting as much as anybody. Sadly, no one seems to realize this. Once again, I believe that we could all benefit from a program such as No More Victims. I would definitely recommend it for anyone desiring to watch something inspirational. I would also like to say kudos for such strength and character you see in the movie.
    10lbabinick

    Excellent Movie

    As a victim of rape from my father and his girlfriend I find this movie one of the best movies I have ever seen. I have never seen a movie that helps victims as well as this movie. I watched it and was absolutely inspired to do something good with my life. I was always wanting to become a nurse so I am going to take and become a nurse despite people telling me I couldn't do it. I am going to help kids who are victims. Whether it be of socitey or of some kinds of disease because their parents couldn't take care of them. I hope that anyone watching this movie takes and learns something from this movie. I hope everyone looks at their life and see's something they can change.
    10edwardbugsch

    Great story!

    This is a true story about what education should be like in the United States. It's a story about one teacher who cared enough about the kids to do whatever it took to help these kids get their education and to graduate. This is a story about rising up above the perceived problems and taking charge of your destiny. This is the best movie I've seen in my life! Based upon the real life person Marilyn Gambrell who teaches these children to rise above the problems. She teaches them not only about the subject in school that she is there for, but she also teaches them about respecting each other & themselves. She also gets each one of these kids to graduate! The one kid that was expelled promised to come back next year. Through all of this, she even went up against the faculty when they wanted to ax her program. She went up against them because she believed in the kids that much. She took the worst kids in the district and made them into winners. This true story shows you how anybody can be a winner!

    More like this

    Gilda Radner: It's Always Something
    6.3
    Gilda Radner: It's Always Something
    Perdus dans la tempête
    5.5
    Perdus dans la tempête
    Hudson Street
    6.8
    Hudson Street
    Une famille presque parfaite
    7.5
    Une famille presque parfaite
    Le cauchemar d'Allison
    5.9
    Le cauchemar d'Allison
    Proof of Lies
    4.4
    Proof of Lies
    Une chance pour tous
    5.3
    Une chance pour tous
    Suffer Island
    5.8
    Suffer Island
    Lip Service
    4.1
    Lip Service
    Jersey Girl
    6.1
    Jersey Girl
    Crossroads
    7.1
    Crossroads
    Génération perdue
    7.2
    Génération perdue

    Related interests

    Ben Kingsley, Rohini Hattangadi, and Geraldine James in Gandhi (1982)
    Biography
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Andrea D'Amours's debut.
    • Quotes

      Marilyn Gambrell: They have the power to persevere, and so do you!

    • Soundtracks
      Soar
      Performed by Christina Aguilera

      Written by Christina Aguilera, Rob Hoffman and Heather Holley

      Courtesy of RCA

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 22, 2005 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • No More Victims
    • Filming locations
      • Calgary, Alberta, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Nomadic Pictures
      • Once Upon a Time Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.