Cinema
Melanie
Rex Bromfield · 1982
Synopsis
Melanie, a young woman from rural Arkansas who can neither read nor write, sees her estranged husband leave for California with their young son, judging her incapable of bringing him up. She takes the bus to Los Angeles to win custody of the child. There she becomes involved with Rick, a fading rock musician who struggles to finish a record; helped by him, by a friend and by a lawyer, she sets about learning to read.
Context
The screenplay is drawn from an unpublished short story by Michael Green. Produced by the Toronto company Simcom, the film was shot in Toronto, where the city's zoo was used to stand in for the Ozark Mountains, and then in Los Angeles. Glynnis O'Connor plays Melanie, the singer Burton Cummings the musician Rick and Paul Sorvino the lawyer. Shooting ended in July 1980, but the film was not released until February 1982, in the United States and then Canada.
Who it is for
An hour and three quarters, in English; a drama about illiteracy and a mother fighting for her child.
Prizes and reception
Seven Genie Award nominations, including for direction, and two awards: best foreign actress and best original song.
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