Alma

Author(s): Al
Location: NY

“Alma"

Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Written by: John Logan
Original Score by Jan A. P. Kaczmarek

Principal Cast:

Jonathan Reynolds: Paul Giamatti
William Forester: John C. Reilly
Ellen Breslin: Annette Bening
Sidney Shepard: Djimon Hounsou
Mary Shepard: Tracie Thoms
Jacob Forester: Daryl Sabara
Morris Fitzgerald: L.Q. Jones
Eve Shepard: Keke Palmer
Anne Forester: Julianne Moore
Sam Ratcliff: Clint Eastwood
Lisa Breslin: AnnaSophia Robb
Florence Lang: Joan Cusack

Tagline: “Learn to defy tradition"

Memorable Quote: "These children are our future, Mr. Ratcliff. And if you keep them like this, our future is doomed."

Synopsis: 1963. Alma is a sleepy little town in the heartland of Arkansas. With upheavals, protests and new ideas developing all over the country during this turbulent period of time, the closed-minded and corrupt mayor Sam Ratcliff helps keep Alma shut off from the changes of this era, and most of the town wants things to stay the way they are. That all changes when a new 7th grade teacher comes to town: Jonathan Reynolds. Reynolds is a closeted homosexual, and has just come back from teaching at Berkeley. After participating in one too many student demonstrations, Reynolds was fired and the town of Alma was happy to take him with barely any background check. Reynolds proceeds to expose the children of Alma to the upheavals and new ideas in the rest of the country. He teaches them ideals of independence, self-confidence, and defiance-none of which their guardians want them to learn. Many of the parents grow angry, and Ratcliff tries to have Reynolds fired, but he lacks a proper reason. Meanwhile, an African-American family moves in, disrupting the racial structure of the town and causing another upset. Another teacher at the school, Florence Lang, is shocked at what she sees going on across the hall and wants Reynolds removed immediately. Drawing upon Reynolds' questionable sexual orientation, she spreads a rumor that Reynolds is molesting a young boy in his class, Jacob Forester. While Reynolds has to fight these vicious allegations with the help of his students, this small, innocent town must deal with change both in Alma and in all of America.

What the press would say:

I just came out of "Alma", and all I can say to describe this movie is that it's just amazing. Famed actor/director Clint Eastwood has put together one of the best ensemble dramas in recent memory, which is big considering the surplus we've had of them. This film will definitely be going for the Oscar, and with the help of a deep, thoughtful screenplay by John Logan, it certainly has a chance. I cannot say enough about the actors in this film. Usually in an ensemble drama, there are a few standouts, but many performances fall flat. That is definitely not the case here. Every actor (including the children) turns in a creditable performance for "Alma". Clint Eastwood is dark and disturbing as the corrupt mayor of Alma (he's always good in his own movies). As a black couple facing extreme prejudice and hate as they move to Alma, Djimon Hounsou and Tracie Thoms both are great, especially Tracie. Another couple of good actors are John C. Reilly and Julianne Moore as the parents of the Forester family. Faced with possible sexual abuse of their son, these two react remarkably, with all the traits of good actors. Their son himself is played also very poignantly by Daryl Sabara, who handles such serious material so well. He isn't a Spy Kid anymore! I also loved Joan Cusack as the concerned but closed-minded and racist teacher, Annette Bening as a struggling single mom trying to raise her daughter well, and veteran actor L.Q. Jones in a small but important role as the earnest and kind owner of a candy shop with secret homophobic violence in his past. But the real standout in this movie is Paul Giamatti, the leading actor. Giamatti has been robbed of awards in the past, but now the Academy cannot avoid his portrayal of an edgy, closeted schoolteacher who opens children's minds to the possibilities and fallacies of the world. However, while Giamatti's character is a catalyst of new values and ideals, his performance at times suggests that he has learned responsibility from the children too. Overall, this is a great, poignant, and thought-provoking film. The studio is waging an aggressive campaign for the following awards:

Best Picture (AMPAS)
Best Picture: Drama (HFPA)
Best Ensemble Cast (SAG)
Best Director: Clint Eastwood
Best Original Screenplay: John Logan
Best Actor: Paul Giamatti
Best Supporting Actor: John C. Reilly
Best Supporting Actor: L.Q. Jones
Best Supporting Actress: Julianne Moore
Best Supporting Actress: Joan Cusack
Best Supporting Actress: Annette Bening