A Map of the World (film)

Summary

A Map of the World is a 1999 American drama film, based on the 1994 novel of the same name by Jane Hamilton. Directed by Scott Elliott and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, the film stars Sigourney Weaver, Julianne Moore and David Strathairn. Weaver was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for her performance.

A Map of the World
Theatrical release poster
Directed byScott Elliott
Screenplay byPeter Hedges
Polly Platt
Based onA Map of the World by Jane Hamilton
Produced byKathleen Kennedy
Frank Marshall
Starring
CinematographySeamus McGarvey
Edited byNaomi Geraghty
Craig McKay
Music byPat Metheny
Production
companies
Distributed byFirst Look Studios
Release dates
September 13, 1999 (TIFF)
January 21, 2000 (USA)
Running time
125 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$544,538[1]

Synopsis edit

Alice Goodwin is a school nurse who lives with her husband Howard and two girls on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin. After the death of the daughter of her friend Theresa Collins on Alice's property, the couple watch helplessly as the community turns against them. To make matters worse, Alice finds herself fighting charges of child abuse.

Cast edit

In addition, the young daughters of Weaver's character were played by real life sisters Dara and Kayla Perlmutter.

Reception edit

Critical response edit

On Rotten Tomatoes, 66% of 56 reviews are positive, and the average rating is 6.4/10. The critics consensus states, "Disjointed storytelling overshadows noteworthy performances."[2] On Metacritic, the film has an average score of 65 based on reviews from 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[3]

Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half out of four stars, praising the performances, and likening it to such movies as Being John Malkovich and Three Kings in "being free—in being capable of taking any turn at any moment, without the need to follow tired conventions".[4]

Awards and nominations edit

Year Award / Festival Category Recipient(s) Result
1999 National Board of Review Special Recognition for Excellence in Filmmaking A Map of the World Won[5][6]
Best Supporting Actress Julianne Moore
(also for Magnolia and An Ideal Husband)
San Sebastián International Film Festival Golden Shell Scott Elliott Nominated[7][8]
2000 National Society of Film Critics Awards Best Supporting Actress Julianne Moore
(also for Magnolia, Cookie's Fortune and An Ideal Husband)
Nominated[9]
Golden Satellite Awards Best Screenplay – Adapted Peter Hedges and Polly Platt Nominated[10]
Best Actress – Drama Sigourney Weaver
Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama Nominated[11][12]
Cairo International Film Festival Golden Pyramid Scott Elliott Nominated[13][14]

References edit

  1. ^ "A Map of the World (1999) - Financial Information". The Numbers.
  2. ^ "A Map of the World (1999)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  3. ^ "A Map of the World". Metacritic. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
  4. ^ Ebert, Roger (February 4, 2000). "A Map of the World Review". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  5. ^ National Board of Review of Motion Pictures :: Awards for 1999
  6. ^ "1999 Archives".
  7. ^ "San Sebastian Film Festival".
  8. ^ "San Sebastian Film Festival".
  9. ^ "Past Awards". 19 December 2009.
  10. ^ "2000 | Categories | International Press Academy".
  11. ^ Higgins, Bill; Gray, Tim (19 December 1999). "Globes' 'Beauty' pageant". Variety. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  12. ^ Wolk, Josh (23 January 2000). ""American Beauty," "Sopranos" dominate the Golden Globes". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
  13. ^ "US Threatens to Withdraw Film from Cairo Festival".
  14. ^ "Cairo International Film Festival - Filmes". Cineteka.

External links edit