A Will of Their Own
A Will of their Own is a 1998 American television miniseries directed by Karen Arthur. The film follows six generations of females within one family, and their struggle for power and independence in America. The film debuted on October 18, 1998, on the NBC network to strong critical reviews. It was released to DVD late 2003.
| A Will of Their Own | |
|---|---|
| Written by | Susan Nanus Susan Shreve Lynn Roth |
| Directed by | Karen Arthur |
| Starring | Lea Thompson Ellen Burstyn Faye Dunaway Thomas Gibson |
| Theme music composer | David Michael Frank |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of episodes | 2 |
| Production | |
| Producers | Elliot Friedgen Susan Nanus |
| Cinematography | Tom Neuwirth |
| Editor | Tina Hirsch |
| Running time | 225 minutes |
| Distributor | NBC |
| Release | |
| Original release |
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Plot
The film begins in the 1890s and ends in the 1980s.
Annie Jermaine (Aylesworth) immigrates from Europe to America where she becomes a housemaid for a wealthy doctor. She breaks class restrictions when she marries the doctor's son and begins training as a nurse. However, she is unable to utilize her knowledge due to the popular belief that women were not capable of practicing medicine.
Amanda Steward (Thompson) is a young woman who aspires to become a photographer but is turned down because she is a woman. She goes through life in trying to help women and make them stronger.
Sarah (Jefferson) faces difficulties being the wife of a powerful U.S. senator.
Susan (Ross) is a hippie who becomes a doctor and later opens up a health clinic for battered women.
Jesse (Braga) is a farm worker who walked the fields of the San Joaquin Valle for nearly half a century. She is the first female organizer for the United Farm Workers. Seeing those around her struggle and sometimes die because of poor living and working conditions, she wanted to help and joined Caesar Chavez to make a change.
Cast
- Lea Thompson.....Amanda Steward
- Ellen Burstyn.....Veronica Steward
- Faye Dunaway.....Margaret Sanger
- Thomas Gibson.....James MacClaren
- Sônia Braga..... Jessie Lopez De La Cruz
- Reiko Aylesworth.....Annie Jermaine
- Tovah Feldshuh.....Mrs. Rubenstein
- Paris Jefferson.....Sarah
- Charlotte Ross.....Susan
- Eric McCormack.....Pierce Peterson
- Diana Scarwid.....Crystal Eastman
- John Shea.....Dr. Jonathan Abbott
- Lew Keathley.....Doorman at the Waldorf Astoria
Awards and nominations
- Nominated, "Best Sound Editing - Television Mini-Series - Dialogue & ADR unknown"
- Nominated, "Best Sound Editing - Television Mini-Series - Music unknown"
References
External links
- A Will of Their Own at IMDb
- A Will of Their Own at AllMovie
- A Will of Their Own at the TCM Movie Database