Canadian TV source of this file.
TORONTO, April 9, 2001 (CTV) - Luanne Rice's best-selling novel "FOLLOW THE STARS HOME" is a Hallmark Hall of Fame special airing SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2001 at 9pm ET (check local listings) sim CBS. The two-hour special is part of the 50th anniversary year of television's longest-running and most-honoured series of drama specials. .
The Hallmark special features Kimberly Williams (Father of the Bride, 10th Kingdom), Campbell Scott (The Spanish Prisoner, Hallmark Hall of Fame's The Love Letter), Blair Brown (Altered States, Hamlet), Eric Close (Now & Again, Sisters), Alexa Vega (Spy Kids, Chicago Hope) and Roxanne Hart (Chicago Hope, The Highlander). Dick Lowry (Attila, Unconditional Love) directs from a teleplay by Sally Beth Robinson (Resurrection, Hallmark Hall of Fame's The Lost Child).
"Follow the Stars Home" is the story of a seemingly perfect marriage destroyed by the birth of a less-than-perfect child. Julia is born with serious genetic abnormalities and will most likely die young; her father, Mark (Eric Close), can't handle the situation, and walks out on his family. Julia's mother, Dianne Parker (Kimberly Williams) discovers there are others she can draw on for the challenging journey ahead: her mother, Hannah (Blair Brown), Amy (Alexa Vega), a spirited young girl from a troubled family that lives nearby, and David McCune (Campbell Scott), her ex-husband's brother, who is Julia's doctor. Then there's Julia herself, who brings her mother great joy.
"It's a beautiful story, a story of survival and of strength and of love - in places that you wouldn't expect to find it," says Kimberly Williams. "Dianne is not a victim. She just takes what comes and goes with it, and it makes her incredibly strong."
Best-selling novelist Luanne Rice says the theme of her book is simply "the notion of unconditional love, the love that that mother had for her child."
"Follow the Stars Home" is a production of Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions, Inc. It is executive produced by Richard Welsh and co-executive produced by Brent Shields.
-END-
"FOLLOW THE STARS HOME" - SYNOPSIS
Dianne Parker and Mark McCune have a perfect marriage - until they learn the baby Dianne is carrying has genetic abnormalities. She decides, though, to have the baby, and names her Julia; Mark can't face the idea of a less-than-perfect child, who will most likely die very young. He walks away from the marriage.
Dianne isn't left alone. She discovers there are others she can draw on for the challenging journey ahead: one older (her mother, Hannah), one younger (a spirited girl, Amy, who is herself a refugee from a troubled family) - plus Dr. David McCune, her ex-husband's brother, who is Julia's doctor. And then, of course, there's Julia herself, who brings her mother great joy.
"We don't always choose the right people to love," Dianne's mother tells her daughter. "In the end, it comes down to how much we're willing to give of ourselves."
Dianne is willing to give anything - and everything.
THE CAST
KIMBERLY WILLIAMS as "Dianne Parker"
Kimberly Williams received her big break as a sophomore at Northwestern University, where she was chosen from hundreds of hopefuls for the part of Steve Martin's daughter in the hit feature Father of the Bride. She took another sabbatical from her studies at Northwestern to appear in "Indian Summer", alongside Alan Arkin, Diane Lane and Bill Paxton.
After earning an Honors degree, Williams resumed her acting career, appearing in the features "Father of the Bride: Part II", "Coldblooded", "War at Home", "Elephant Juice", "Just a Little Harmless Sex" and "Simpatico".
Television credits include two Hallmark Entertainment productions: "The 10th Kingdom", a 10-hour miniseries event which co-starred John Larroquette, Scott Cohen, Ed O'Neil, Ann-Margret, Dianne Wiest and Rutger Hauer; and Neil Simon's "Jake's Women", co-starring Alan Alda, Anne Archer and Mira Sorvino. She also starred in "All Together Now" and "Tales from the Crypt", and won critical acclaim for her portrayal of Isabel Lukens on the series "Relativity".
CAMPBELL SCOTT as "David McCune"
Campbell Scott got his first break playing Benvolio in "Romeo and Juliet"
in summer stock in New England. He then understudied in the Broadway production
of Tom Stoppard's "The Real Thing", starring Jeremy Irons and Nicol Williamson.
He has appeared Off-Broadway in "A Man For All Seasons", and starred on
Broadway in "A Long Days Journey Into Night", with Jason Robards and Colleen
Dewhurst), "Ah! Wilderness" and "Hayfever". Regional stage acting credits
include the title role in "Hamlet" at San Diego's Old Globe and at Boston's
Huntington Theatre.
Scott's first film role was in "From Hollywood to Deadwood", followed by the highly-praised "Longtime Companion" and Bernardo Bertolucci's "The Sheltering Sky". More recently, he appeared in Cameron Crowe's "Singles", Kenneth Branagh's "Dead Again" and Joel Schumacher's "Dying Young" (opposite Julia Roberts), John Schlesinger's "The Innocent" (opposite Isabella Rossellini and Anthony Hopkins) and Alan Rudolph's "Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle" (opposite Jennifer Jason Leigh). He co-starred in and co-directed (with Stanley Tucci) "The Big Night", and appears opposite Steve Martin in David Mamet's "The Spanish Prisoner".
For television, he starred in the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation, "The Love Letter" (opposite Jennifer Jason Leigh) and starred in and co-directed "Hamlet" for the Odyssey Channel.
ERIC CLOSE as "Mark McCune"
Eric Close was a series regular on CBS's "Now and Again" and on NBC's "Sisters". He has starred in several television movies, including "Stranger Beside Me", "Without Consent" and "Keeping Secrets". Feature films include "American Me", directed by Edward James Olmos. Close lives in Los Angeles with his wife and their two daughters.
BLAIR BROWN as "Hannah"
Blair Brown was raised in the Washington, D.C. area. She studied acting at Montreal's National Theater School of Canada and for seven years performed with the Stratford Festival in Ontario, the Long Wharf in New Haven, the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake (Canada) and at the Guthrie in Minneapolis. In 1975, she moved to New York, performing in Joseph Papp's Central Park production of "Comedy of Errors", with Linda Lavin, Ted Danson and Danny DeVito. She made her Broadway debut in "The Threepenny Opera", with Raoul Julia. She then began working in television; early miniseries credits include "Eleanor and Franklin", "The Captains and the Kings", "Kennedy", "Space and Hands of a Stranger". She was recently seen in the Odyssey Channel presentation of "Hamlet", co-directed by (and starring) Campbell Scott. Brown made her feature film debut in 1979, in Ken Russell's "Altered States", opposite William Hurt.
Blair Brown remains active performing on stage. She starred in the American premiere of David Hare's "Plenty" at Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage, and in Joseph Papp's production of Hare's "The Secret Rapture" on Broadway, as well as the Lincoln Center production of Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia". Recent triumphs include the acclaimed musical adaptation of James Joyce's "The Dead", Michael Frayne's Copenhagen (for which she won the 2000 Tony Award) and Sam Mendes' Roundabout Theatre production of "Cabaret".
ROXANNE HART as "Tess"
Roxanne Hart was a series regular on CBS's "Chicago Hope". She has appeared in 15 television movies, including "When Secrets Kill", "The Last Innocent Man", "Island Sun", "Painting Churches" and Hallmark Hall of Fame's "The Runaway". Feature credits include "Once Around", "The Highlander" and "The Verdict".
On Broadway, her many credits include "Passion", "Loose Ends", "Cheaters" and "Equus". Off-Broadway credits include "Lips Together, Teeth Apart", as well as "Hedda Gabler", "Johnny on the Spot" and "The Barbarians".
ALEXA VEGA as Amy
Alexa Vega has recently received critical raves for her work in the
Robert Rodriguez film, "Spy Kids". Earlier films include "Dennis the Menace
II", "Ghosts of Mississippi", "Twister", "Nine Months" and "Little Giants".
She appeared as a series regular on "Evening Shade" and "Life's Work",
and as a guest star on "Chicago Hope" and "E.R."
THE CREATIVE TEAM
SALLY BETH ROBINSON, Teleplay
Sally Beth Robinson wrote the script for last season's Hallmark Hall
of Fame presentation, "The Lost Child", starring Mercedes Ruehl, Jamey
Sheridan and Irene Bedard. Her many other network credits include "Resurrection
and Challenge of a Lifetime". She served as writer/producer on the Humanitas
Prize-winning Judy Davis/Sam Neill Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation,
"One Against the Wind".
LUANNE RICE, Novelist
Luanne Rice is the author of "Cloud Nine", "Secrets of Paris", "Stone
Heart", "Angels All Over Town", "Home Fires", "Crazy in Love" and "Blue
Moon", as well as "Follow the Stars Home". Her newest novel, "Summer Light",
will be published in June. Luanne Rice lives in New York City and Old Lyme,
Connecticut, with her husband.
DICK LOWRY, Director
Dick Lowry has directed 40 films for television, as well as several
miniseries. In the former category, his titles include "Unconditional Love",
"Last Stand at Saber River", "Smoke Jumpers", "Horse for Danny", "American
Harvest" and "Angel Dusted", as well as seven "In the Line of Duty" franchise
films. Miniseries include "Attila", "Atomic Train" and "Texas Justice".
THE PRODUCTION TEAM
BRENT SHIELDS, Co-Executive Producer
Brent Shields both produced and directed last season's Hallmark Hall
of Fame presentation, "Cupid & Cate" (Mary-Louise Parker, Peter Gallagher)
and 1999's "Durango" (Matt Keeslar, Brenda Fricker). He also served as
producer of "Saint Maybe" (Mary-Louise Parker, Thomas McCarthy), William
Faulkner's "Old Man" (Arliss Howard, Jeanne Tripplehorn) and "Journey"
(Jason Robards, Brenda Fricker). He co-executive produced this season's
earlier presentations, "The Lost Child" (Mercedes Ruehl, Irene Bedard),
"The Runaway" (Dean Cain, Maya Angelou) and "The Flamingo Rising" (William
Hurt, Elizabeth McGovern, Brian Benben), as well as "What the Deaf Man
Heard" (Matthew Modine, James Earl Jones), "Calm at Sunse" (Kate Nelligan,
Michael Moriarty), "The Summer of Ben Tyler" (James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern),
"Harvest of Fire" (Lolita Davidovitch, Patty Duke) and "The Boys Next Door"
(Nathan Lane, Michael Jeter).
RICHARD WELSH, Executive Producer
Richard Welsh has provided outstanding creative direction for the Hallmark
Hall of Fame since 1982. As consultant to Hallmark for ICM and subsequently
his own company, he has guided the development and production of nearly
50 programs in television's longest-running and most-honored dramatic series.
In recent years his role has expanded to include serving as executive producer
of Hallmark Hall of Fame productions. Earlier executive producer credits
include "The Flamingo Rising" (William Hurt, Elizabeth McGovern), "The
Runaway" (Dean Cain, Maya Angelou), "The Lost Child" (Mercedes Ruehl, Jamey
Sheridan), 'Cupid & Cate" (Mary-Louise Parker, Peter Gallagher), "A
Season for Miracles" (Lynne Redgrave, Patty Duke), "Durango" (Matt Keeslar,
Brenda Fricker), "Saint Maybe" (Blythe Danner, Edward Herrmann), "Grace
& Glorie" (Gena Rowlands, Diane Lane), "Night Ride Home" (Rebecca De
Mornay, Keith Carradine), "The Echo of Thunder" (Judy Davis, Jamey Sheridan),
"Ellen Foster" (Jena Malone, Julie Harris), "What the Deaf Man Heard" (Matthew
Modine, Judith Ivey), William Faulkner's "Old Man" (Arliss Howard, Jeanne
Tripplehorn), "The Summer of Ben Tyle" (James Woods, Elizabeth McGovern),
"The Boys Next Door" (Tony Goldwyn, Nathan Lane), "The Piano Lesson" (Charles
S. Dutton, Alfre Woodard), "To Dance with the White Dog" (Hume Cronyn,
Jessica Tandy), "Breathing Lessons" (James Garner, Joanne Woodward) and
"Foxfire" (Hume Cronyn, Jessica Tandy).
Q&A WITH AUTHOR LUANNE RICE
Luanne Rice is author of the best-selling novel, "Follow the Stars Home", upon which this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation is based. Luanne Rice was interviewed on the set during filming, in Pasadena, California.
Where did this story come from?
A couple of Christmases ago, there was a neighborhood carol sing and I was standing in a circle with many neighbors, including a particular mother and child. The child was in a wheelchair, and there was a moment when we were all asked to join hands. I wasn't sure whether to take the little girl's hand or not. She was obviously developmentally disabled.
I looked at the mother and saw fear in her eyes. She was afraid that I wasn't going to hold on to her daughter's hand. But I did it, I took her hand.
I felt very inspired by that moment. I was so struck with the enormous love that that woman had for her little girl. I started thinking about that mother and how protective she was of her daughter, and what it must be like to be afraid that your child isn't so-called 'normal'.
It was a brief snapshot, really, but it formed the basis of what became
"Follow the Stars Home". The theme of the book really became the notion
of unconditional love in its purest form, the love that that mother had
for her child.
Any other thoughts about the theme of the book, and movie?
I used to say that the book's about being perfectly loved by imperfect people. I think that's what life's all about. We're all on this quest for perfection: do the right thing, find the right person, get the stars lined up in perfect order, then we'll be happy forever after.
Of course, life doesn't work that way. We all make mistakes, we all take wrong turns. Except sometimes those 'mistakes' and 'wrong turns' aren't that at all.
"Follow the Stars Home" shows a little girl some people might find a
challenge or difficult to love, but Dianne doesn't feel that way at all.
She gives Julia everything she's got. She wouldn't have it any other way!
Was this a tough book to write, or the opposite?
It took me a very short time to write "Follow the Stars Home", only about two months, because it came from some place deep inside me. Once I had the characters in mind, the novel just flowed.
I wrote it at my family's home in Connecticut at this old oak table that's been there since I was a child. My mother was a writer, and she used to give my sisters and me writing seminars at that table. I sat there and really felt inspired by that connection, by that relationship I have with my mother.
Have you been surprised that the book has done so well commercially?
Yes, a little surprised. But I've also been ecstatic. I'm thrilled so many people are reading it, and now will see it on the screen, because I do think it says something that people need to hear, especially - as I said - about how important it is to love those around us who aren't always so easy to love.
There are two themes at work here. Embracing the unknown, embracing
that which is perhaps a little unpredictable, a little scary, a little
dangerous. And loving those among us who are not picture-perfect.
Is there a character you particularly identify with?
I love Amy! She's a young girl who is outside this incredibly loving family. She comes from a troubled home, a place that's dangerous and dark. She refers to herself as a 'throwaway kid.' When she witnesses the love Dianne has for Julia, it has a profound effect on her.
I love the fact that sometimes we can find family connections in families
that aren't our own.
What's it like being on this set, seeing your story and your characters come to life?
It's beyond my wildest dreams!
I just stood behind the camera a few minutes ago and watched as Eric Close's character, Mark, tells his brother, David, played by Campbell Scott, that he's marrying Dianne. David is deeply, deeply hurt, but he can't reveal that to his brother. It's a key scene in the book. I remember exactly how and when I wrote it, and here my characters are -- in the flesh, as they say!
I literally had goosebumps as I watched and listened.
Is there a scene from the book that's a favorite?
Oh, there are several.
But one in particular comes to mind. Dianne's mother, Hannah, works her last day as a librarian in the town's library, and she walks up to the house, and she's sad, but trying bravely to not show her sadness.
And lo and behold, Dianne and Julia and Amy have organized a little parade for her, waving flags and making lots of noise and singing a little song.
It's based on a real-life scene with my mother. She was a teacher, and as you can tell, I've got a real soft spot for teachers and librarians. She and they were very influential in my own life, had a lot to do with my becoming a life-long reader, and a writer.
When my mother retired they had a little party for her. I know I'm going
to be a bucket of tears when I see that scene on the screen.
Are there other real-life echoes in "Follow the Stars Home"?
Lots!
You know, I come from a family of sailors, and that's close to my heart and my home. So there's lots of that in "Follow the Stars Home". Even the title, it refers to the practice of sailing home by the stars.
Amy reminds me in some ways of myself. I was raised in a loving family,
but I babysat for another family, and they just took me into their lives.
I drew on that a lot, the idea of becoming part of a family that's not
your own.
Do you think there'll be a dry eye in the house after people see this?
I have to tell you, there were times at my typewriter when I was really sobbing heavily.
As the author I feel embarrassed telling you - because I don't mean it in an egocentric way - but I really feel once I created these characters the story just told itself. [Laughs.] I mean, these characters were so real to me, that I just followed them! When I got to the end and realized where the story had gone, I was as surprised as anyone!
The whole process, it's so mysterious. I'm as mystified by it as anyone.
Q&A WITH DIRECTOR DICK LOWRY
What was your reaction when you were approached about directing "Follow the Stars Home"?
The first thing any director responds to is the script. When I read
this one, I thought, `What a wonderful, wonderful story, a story I'd really
enjoy telling.' Also, Hallmark Hall of Fame attracts fine actors to the
table, so I knew I'd be in great company.
What was it about that script that so appealed to you?
It reminds us in a warm and dramatic way of the joys we can find in
life amidst our problems and troubles. How can you create and enjoy some
wonderful moments in your life, however small and few they may be? That's
what this story's about.
How did you avoid sentimentalizing the story?
It could have slipped into that in a heartbeat. I recognized the danger,
as did all the actors. We constantly asked ourselves, 'How do we make this
real?' 'How do we make these characters recognizable and accessible to
a general audience?' The answer was to deal with the realities of every
moment. I have to say, our cast was superb in this movie. They never went
down the sentimental trail. We tried to go down the realistic trail of
what a character would do at any given moment, in any given situation.
The script was so good that we were able to let the scenes play out very
realistically and in a very straightforward way. It didn't need dollops
of sentimentality added on top of it.
What was the biggest challenge you faced, taking this story to the screen?
The primary challenge was finding a girl to portray Julia, the daughter. We saw a lot of kids, and ended up casting twin sisters [Amanda and Caitlin Fein]. They didn't have much acting experience - after all, they were only six years old. But they had been on movie sets, and they were extremely bright. Also, their mother - to her great credit - took them to a school where they were able to meet and spend time with kids who had the same neurological conditions as Julia. Amanda and Caitlin bonded with one girl in particular, and they became friends with her. While the friendship was forming, they observed her carefully. [Pauses.]
To give you an idea of how smart these girls are, and the extent to which they understood `Julia,' let me tell you a story. I wanted to end the film on a high note, even though that wouldn't really be true to the book - it does not, in fact, really end on a high note. When we were shooting the final scene, I said to Caitlin, `Now, when the photographer tells everybody to smile for the camera, I need you to look up a bit and smile.' She said, 'Dick, children like Julia can't just do that on command. They smile when they're truly happy inside, not when they're told to do it.' I thought to myself, 'This is amazing, this conversation I'm having with this six-year-old girl. She's so young, and so wise.' She was remembering research from five, six weeks earlier, and she was remembering specific things. What I said back to her was, 'You're exactly right. What we have to play here is that the photographer has done something to delight you. You're not responding to his verbal command. You're smiling because he's been clever enough to do a humorous thing, and so your smile comes from within.'
Tell us, please, about your actors. First, Kimberly Williams...
Extraordinarily talented. I confessed to her at the end of filming that
when I saw "Father of the Bride" years ago, I said to myself, "That's the
most perfect casting I've ever seen.' I have a daughter who is Kimberly's
age, so I was a pretty good judge of that character, and Kim played the
perfect father's daughter. But as much as I admired her performance and
as much as I enjoyed the movie, I was a little afraid when her name came
up for this film. Was she going to be able to play an adult? But there
wasn't ever a moment while we were making the picture that I didn't feel
she was exactly the right choice. I just think she's a marvelous actress.
Campbell Scott...
He's seen it all and done it all, even though he's still relatively young. He's also a director in his own right. I told him I didn't want to hear even one directorial suggestion from him... [Laughs.] Campbell's acting challenge in this piece is that he has a lot of silent moments. He has to communicate a lot through silence. And he pulls it off beautifully.
Eric Close...
His big challenge was that in real life he's a completely devoted husband and father - his whole life is focussed on his wife and two young kids - and in the film he has to walk away from his wife and his child. He had to draw on a deep reservoir of acting talent to do that convincingly. His character, Mark, is also rather superficial and shallow, and Eric is neither of those things. He's a serious, intelligent, dedicated actor and person.
Blair Brown...
I've been watching her work since before I got into this business. I have a vivid memory of seeing her in "Altered States". It's interesting, the first time I picked up the phone and called Blair in New York, it was like we'd known each other for years, even though we'd never met, never talked. And the way the schedule worked out, she wasn't going to be working until well into the schedule, it didn't really make sense for her to be here during the pre-shooting rehearsal period. So all we did was chat every few days on the phone. She's such a pro, she's got such an intuitive understanding of what it's all about. When she actually came on to the set, I said to her a few times, 'Blair, how are you going to play this? I can't really figure it out.' And she'd say, 'I've got something worked out. I thought I'd show you, see if you like it.' And, inevitably, she'd absolutely nail the line, nail the scene.
Alexa Vega...
She's the smartest, most talented and vivacious 12-year-old you'll ever meet. Big things are going to happen in her career. You know, I worked with Helen Hunt and Leelee Sobieski when they were Alexa's age. I think I can take some responsibility for both those careers. And I think Alexa's career is going to take off the same way.
Final thoughts?
Well, when people see this, I hope that they'll recognize that even with life full of trials and tribulations, you still have lots of wonderful moments. And you have to recognize those moments and learn to enjoy them for what they are. Don't let the reversals in your life ruin your life! Kim's character's baby becomes the central joy in a lot of people's lives - not just Kim's, but in her mother's, her doctor's, her young friend's...They all revel in Julia's life, and in their relationship with her.
Q&A WITH KIMBERLY WILLIAMS AND CAMPBELL SCOTT
Kimberly Williams (Father of the Bride) and Campbell Scott (Hallmark Hall of Fame's The Love Letter) star in "Follow the Stars Home". Williams plays the mother of Julia, who was born with serious genetic abnormalities; Scott plays the doctor who cares for her. His character is the brother of Williams' husband (played by Eric Close), who left the marriage when Julia was born. They were interviewed on the film's set, in Pasadena, California.
Kimberly, tell us about your character, Dianne...
She's a mom, first of all, which I've loved playing. When we first meet Dianne she's in her early 20's and she falls in love with Mark. When they find out their baby, Julia, has genetic abnormalities and neurological damage, it's very traumatic, and her husband leaves.
Most of the movie takes place five years later; Dianne is utterly devoted to Julia, who needs a lot of attention.
This film is really about mothers and daughters. Dianne has a wonderful mother, Hannah (played by Blair Brown), who's also devoted to Julia. The three of them live together. Then there's Campbell's character, the doctor, who provides great support for Julia and Dianne.
Finally, there's Amy. She plays my "mother's helper," and she becomes
very close to Julia. She's the only one who can really understand what
Julia is saying and what Julia's trying to communicate. Amy becomes this
wonderful liaison between Julia and the rest of the world. She's Julia's
first - and best - friend.
Kimberly, have you ever worked this much with young actors before?
No - just dogs!
We've been so fortunate on this movie. The kids are fantastic. They're very professional - more professional than we adult actors are! [Laughs] They remind me of the way I was when I was 13 and just starting to work on sets for the first time. I loved it then, and these kids love it now.
I remember that I never wanted to leave the set in those days. Now I
start looking at my watch during late afternoon, and I kind of want to
go home. But then I look at these kids and see the joy they're experiencing,
and I remember. It makes it more fun.
What were your thoughts when you first read this script, Kimberly?
I thought it was a beautiful story, a story of survival and of strength and of love - in places that you wouldn't expect to find it.
I decided I didn't want to make Dianne a victim. I wanted her to be strong! I wanted her to have a clear vision every day. What can we do for Julia's survival? How can I love her today? How can we make her life better?
Dianne's not a victim. She just takes what comes and goes with it, and
it makes her incredibly strong.
Campbell, what were your initial thoughts about your character, Dr. David McCune?
Well, I knew it would be somewhat tricky to interpret, because he's
really in the shadows quite a lot of the time - both as doctor and as someone
who may or may not become Dianne's love interest. It's a part that requires
a lot of subtlety, a lot of shaded interpretation.
Had you ever played a doctor before?
No. It's interesting - doctors and cops, every actor seems to have played
one of each at least once in their lives. But I've never played a doctor
or a cop - until "Follow the Stars Home". The challenge is to play it as
accurately as possible, to avoid the cliches, and to look and sound informed
without coming off as pompous.
Did you do any research?
I play a pediatrician, and I did talk to some pediatricians, just to get a sense of what's unique about their specialty, what's different about their branch of medicine. How do they work with kids? How do they put kids at ease? Do they sit behind desks? Do they try to talk to kids at their height, rather than looming over them? Do they talk to the kids directly or through their parents?
Those were some of the questions I was interested in exploring before
we began filming. It's not stuff that's in the script, but I thought it
was important to help fill in the acting blanks.
Kimberly, could you share some thoughts about your fellow actors. Eric Close...
He's done a wonderful job playing Mark. It's not easy playing the bad guy - but he's given his character a lot of humanity, I think. We can sort of sympathize with him. He's not a villain. You can understand why he's scared, why he takes off.
Campbell Scott...
I love working with him. He comes from royalty in the acting world, he has acting talent in his genes! [Scott's parents are George C. Scott and Colleen Dewhurst.] I feel honored to be on the screen with him. Don't tell him I said that! [Laughs]
Blair Brown...
She has such impressive stage credits. She's worked as an actress for more than 30 years. I'm in awe of her background and her talent.
This is just an amazing cast that's been assembled for this film. Alexa
Vega is superb as young Amy. Roxanne Hart is wonderful as Amy's alcoholic
mother. Amanda and Caitlin Fein are just right as Julia. They bring so
much sensitivity to the part.
Kimberly, what do you hope viewers will see in "Follow the Stars Home", maybe take from it...
I hope they'll be moved, first of all. I hope they'll see part of themselves
in this story. I think when there's truth in a story it can effect everyone,
even if it's not specific to your experience.