Themes: Teen Pregnancy, Sibling Relationships, Families in Crisis
Main Cast: Aidan Quinn, Rachel Griffiths
Release Year: 2004
Country: US
Run Time: 120 minutes
Plot
Based on a novel by Kent Haruf, the Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie Plainsong looks back on a year in the lives of several very special people in a close-knit Colorado prairie community. Deserted by his seriously disturbed wife Ella (Megan Follows), dedicated high school teacher Tom Guthrie (Aidan Quinn) is forced to raise his mentally challenged sons Ike (Mick Hazen) and Bobby (Cody Arens) by himself. Cruelly tormented by their peers and shunned by many of the adults in the community, the boys find a friend and kindred spirit in lonely old Iva Stearns (Marian Seldes), who offers to let them work on her ranch. At the same time, Tom's fellow teacher Maggie Jonas (Rachel Griffiths) comes to the rescue of Victoria Roubidoux (America Ferrera), a pregnant 17-year old Native American girl who has been evicted by her mother. Maggie arranges for Victoria to stay at the home of the McPherson Brothers (Geoffrey Lewis, William Andrews), a pair of crusty old bachelors who have never lived with anyone other than themselves. The stories of these two "extended" families inevitably converge, reaching a crossroads when Ike and Bobby stumble across Iva's dead body. Despite this morbid turn of events, the story gives special emphasis to forgiveness and the acceptance of those who are different -- and the ability to come to grips with the fact that life offers no guarantees. Filmed on location in Utah, Plainsong made its CBS network bow on April 25, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Megan Follows - Ella Guthrie; Geoffrey Lewis - Raymond McPheron; Marian Seldes - Iva Stearns; William Andrews - Harold McPheron; Zachery Ty Bryan - Russell; Cody Arens - Bobby Guthrie; America Ferrera - Victoria Roubideaux; Mick Hazen - Ike Guthrie
Credit
Lynn Kressel - Casting, Richard Pearce - Director, Tina Hirsch - Editor, Brent Shields - Executive Producer, Richard Welsh - Executive Producer, Ron Mitchell - Line Producer, Lawrence Shragge - Composer (Music Score), Patrizia Von Brandenstein - Production Designer, Affonso Beato - Cinematographer, Orly Adelson - Producer, Oliver Goldstick - Screenwriter, Kent Haruf - Book Author
