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Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ron Eldard, Jena Malone, Glenne Headly, Lyle Lovett ... see more see more... , Dermot Mulroney , Laura Dern , Christina Ricci , Michael Rooker , Diana Scarwid , Susan Traylor , Grace Zabriskie

Accomplished actress Anjelica Huston, daughter of John Huston, made her directorial debut with this absorbing, often wrenching story of child abuse in the 1950s American South. Based on a novel by Dor... read more read more...othy Allison, the film (narrated by Laura Dern) tells the tale of Bone (Jena Malone), a poor white girl so named because she was born right after her mother survived a terrifying car crash. While Bone is still a small child, her single mother, Anney (Jennifer Jason Leigh), meets and marries the sweet Lyle (Dermot Mulroney), and the two add another daughter to the family before Lyle dies in an auto accident. Anney is next courted by the less good-natured Glen (Ron Eldard), who takes out his rage on Bone both physically and sexually, as Bone becomes even more disillusioned at her mother's inability to get away from her monstrous husband. Set in South Carolina in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Bastard Out Of Carolina touches on many aspects of life, family, and hardship amidst the poor white of the South. TNT owner Ted Turner refused to air the film, ostensibly because of its difficult subject matter, but the film goes out of its way to handle its material with as little exploitation as possible. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

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79% liked it

4,754 ratings

Critics

100% liked it

9 critics

R, 1 hr. 37 min.

Directed by: Anjelica Huston

Release Date: December 15, 1996

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Stats: 268 reviews

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Grace Zabriskie as Granny in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) Susan Traylor as Alma in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) - Ron Eldard as Glen Waddell, Jena Malone as Ruth Anne 'Bone' Boatwright in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) - Michael Rooker as Uncle Earle in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) - Christina Ricci as Dee Dee in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) Jena Malone as Ruth Anne 'Bone' Boatwright in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) - Dermot Mulroney as Lyle Parsons in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) Diana Scarwid as Aunt Raylene in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) Jennifer Jason Leigh as Anney Boatwright in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) - Director Anjelica Huston for Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) - Jena Malone plays Ruth Anne 'Bone' Boatwright in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) Glenne Headly as Aunt Ruth in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) Dorothy Allison is the author of Bastard Out of Carolina Ron Eldard as Glen Waddell in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) - Jena Malone as Ruth Anne 'Bone' Boatwright with Jennifer Jason Leigh as Anney Boatwright in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) - Bastard out of Carolina Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) Lyle Lovett as Wade in Bastard Out of Carolina (1996) -
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Flixster Reviews (268)

  • LWOODS04
    August 27, 2009
    LWOODS04
    This was a hard movie to watch. It sickened me. Jena Malone, was insanely good in this movie. It had to be hard for her to portray certain parts in this movie at such a young age. She was just amazing in this movie.
    It is a heart wrenching movie about a young girl who is sexuall... read morey abused by her mothers boyfriend. Her mother is an awful piece of work. I wanted to go through the screen and physically harm her. I was just so disgusted with her and the way she treated her daughter.
    All of the actors all acted their parts well. Its just an awfully good movie that will have you going through a lot of emotions. I know I went through a lot watching it.
    It's not a film you can watch over and over again, but it is one that you would watch every once in a great while just on the story and the powerful acting. It is a movie that should be seen by all. A must see.
  • arashxak
    November 8, 2008
    arashxak
    Haven't read the book but I feel that this is not a good adaptation & the film feels rushed, If you're planning to see this be prepared for its difficult subject matter & some really disturbing scenes
  • ileo
    December 19, 2007
    ileo
    A brilliant film!
  • PinkMinkPrincess
    June 16, 2011
    PinkMinkPrincess
    This Story Hurt me to watch, & now whenever I see Ron Eldard, I remember him this Role.The Scene with her on his Lap in the Car broke my Heart.I guess a Movie is really Good when you cannot forget it, & never Forgive the Actor because you still see him as the Bad Guy.
  • NickCoalNoir
    January 30, 2009
    NickCoalNoir
    This movie made me wanna kill that son-of-a-bitch who hurt that little girl. I would never allow anyone to hurt my child that way. Ever. I praise Jena Malone for playing that difficult character.
  • MetalMario2
    June 27, 2008
    MetalMario2
    Every time I think about the climactic event near the end of the movie, coupled with the mother's ultimate reaction, it burns me the hell up. But I suppose eliciting an emotional response is what a film like this sets out to do in the first place, and in that, it succeeds.
  • shortyalg1
    June 26, 2008
    shortyalg1
    A very good movie..I even have the book. Its really sad the fact that this girl went through so much pain and the mom rarely did anything about it. At the end that dirty guy got what he deserved.
  • StaisilD
    May 11, 2008
    StaisilD
    Anjelica Huston is the director and this is her first attempt at directing a feature length movie. The results are stunning. It is altogether a flawless movie, with an excellent script based on the Dorothy Allison novel. Ron Eldard is excellent in his depiction Glen, expertly cap... read moreturing the character's pathetic childishness behind those icy blue eyes. Eldard often seems to play characters with a dark side and this role plays to his strengths, even if his southern accent slips from time to time. His scenes of violence with Bone are harrowing to watch and you can't help but feel uncomfortable, given the age of Jena Malone at the time. Special mention must go to Jena Malone for her sophisticated, passionate portrayal of Anney's young daughter, 'Bone'. Bone carries the weight of her mother's world on her shoulders. This is her first major role to speak of and she carries the movie effortlessly.
  • JaredsBaby
    April 12, 2008
    JaredsBaby
    I watched this one time and can't watch it again....just because it was so heartbreaking it is a good movie....it's about a little girl who's mother takes in an a busive man for a boyfriend...and he end ups abusing her older daughter.
  • dandos04
    September 10, 2007
    dandos04
    THIS WAS SO GOOD...
    IT SHOCKED ME AND GOT TO ME.
    THE LITTLE GIRL IN THIS MOVIE WAS WONDERFUL FOR THE ROLE SHE PLAYED.

View All Bastard out of Carolina Reviews

Critic Reviews

Cole Smithey
January 10, 2006
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

Stunning!

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
July 25, 2005
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

An abused young girl finds sanctuary in the care of the women of her extended family. Full Review

James Sanford
July 29, 2002
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette

searing domestic drama that will leave you aching

Godfrey Cheshire
March 26, 2009
Godfrey Cheshire, Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Emanuel Levy
August 17, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Lori Hoffman
April 20, 2005
Lori Hoffman, Atlantic City Weekly

No review available.

Daniel M. Kimmel
February 20, 2004
Daniel M. Kimmel, Worcester Telegram & Gazette

No review available.

Carol Cling
October 10, 2003
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Philip Martin
March 31, 2003
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

No review available.

Christopher Smith
October 11, 2002
Christopher Smith, Bangor Daily News (Maine)

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Anney: Bone, I got somebody who wants to meet you. Bone, this is Glen Waddell. Say hey.
    • Bone: Hey!
    • Glen: Hey, Bone. How you doin'?
    • Bone: Fine.
    • Glen: You sit out here every night?
    • Bone: After school.
    • Narrator: The day I was born started off bad and only got worse. I guess I was lucky I got born at all.
Submit a Fact | View All

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