Themes: Women's Friendship, On the Campaign Trail, Dancer's Life
Main Cast: Joan Plowright, Mischa Barton, Ingrid Uribe, Richard Yniguez
Release Year: 2000
Country: US
Run Time: 92 minutes
Plot
Two friends get their first taste of adult responsibilities in this made-for-cable comedy-drama. Francesca (Mischa Barton) and Hazel (Ingrid Uribe) are two 12-year-old girls growing up in Percaucus, an economically depressed community that's seen better days. Hazel, who has an avid interest in politics and history, is upset with the slow decay of her hometown; she thinks new leadership would help, and when she discovers the city charter states no age requirement for the office of mayor, she decides to run against Mayor Harrison (Larry Musser), who has held the office for 28 years and is otherwise running unopposed. Meanwhile, Hazel's best friend Francesca loves the ballet, and has studied for years with the avid encouragement of her grandmother Phoebe (Joan Plowright). Phoebe has managed to get Francesca an audition for a scholarship with a prestigious dance academy; however, "Frankie," as her friends call her, also loves baseball, and has battled a sexist coach and dubious teammates to make it onto the local Little League team. Between her heavy schedule of dance practices and rehearsals, and her time with the team, Francesca's schoolwork is starting to suffer, and she realizes something will have to give. Frankie and Hazel was directed by actress-turned-filmmaker JoBeth Williams; it was produced for the Showtime premium cable network. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
