Bastard Out of Carolina

**Bastard Out of Carolina** is a 1996 American television drama film directed by Anjelica Huston which aired on December 15, 1996 on the Showtime network.

It is based on Dorothy Allison's 1992 novel of the same name.

## Plot

The film follows Ruth Anne "Bone" Boatwright, a young girl who suffers from physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather.

## Cast

* Jennifer Jason Leigh as Anney Boatwright
* Ron Eldard as Glen Waddel
* Jena Malone as Ruth Anne "Bone" Boatwright
	+ Kelsey Elizabeth Boulware as Bone (age 4)
* Glenne Headly as Aunt Ruth
* Michael Rooker as Uncle Earle
* Diana Scarwid as Aunt Raylene
* Christina Ricci as Dee Dee
* Lyle Lovett as Wade
* Dermot Mulroney as Lyle Parsons
* Grace Zabriskie as Granny
* Lindley Mayer as Reese
* Laura Dern as Narrator (voice-over)

## Critical Reception

The Chicago Tribune wrote: *"Despite its sorrowful subject, Bastard Out of Carolina offers the deep satisfaction of material that rings true."*

Variety magazine said that the film is *"quality item earmarked for serious auds by its nonexploitative handling of potent material, the strong work of debuting helmer Anjelica Huston and striking perfs from young newcomer Jena Malone, Jennifer Jason Leigh and others."*

USA Today wrote: *"[Anjelica] Huston's movie seems to disappoint some who've read the novel, but the forlorn humanity that triumphs over the depravity and poverty is unforgettably affecting."*

Barbara Shulgasser from the San Francisco Examiner noted that Anjelica Huston '*"manages to bring the unavoidable brutality of this story to the screen without seeming exploitative."* She also praised the performances of Jena Malone, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Ron Eldard and Glenne Headly.

In the Boston Globe's review, they said: *"[Anjelica] Huston's direct style and subtle touch keep Bastard from becoming a sociological treatise. Not for a moment can we forget that these are people hurting people."*

Entertainment Weekly gave the film a B+ rating, saying: *"The agonizing moments that convey what it’s like for Bone to feel helpless and afraid of Daddy Glen even when he’s not torturing her are where the art is."*

TV Guide Magazine wrote: *"Unforgettably, Bastard Out of Carolina makes a bold statement about a little girl's grace under inordinate pressure."*

## Awards

**Cannes Film Festival** (1996)

* Golden Camera: Anjelica Huston [*Nominated*]

**Primetime Emmy Awards** (1997)

* Outstanding Casting for a Miniseries or a Special: Linda Lowy [**Winner**]
* Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or a Special: Anjelica Huston [*Nominated*]
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Special: Glenne Headly [*Nominated*]
* Outstanding Made for Television Movie: Gary Hoffman (executive producer) and Amanda DiGiulio (producer) [*Nominated*]

**Screen Actors Guild Awards** (1997)

* Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a TV Movie or Miniseries: Jena Malone [*Nominated*]

**CableACE Awards** (1997)

* CableACE Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: Jena Malone [*Nominated*]

**Casting Society of America** (1997)

* Artios Award for Best Casting for TV Movie of the Week: Linda Lowy ['*Winner*]

**Film Independent Spirit Awards** (1997)

* Best Debut Performance: Jena Malone [*Nominated*]

**Directors Guild of America** (1997)

* Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Specials: Anjelica Huston [*Nominated*]

**Online Film & Television Association** (1997)

* Best Music in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: Van Dyke Parks [*Nominated*]
* Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: Laura Dern and Christina Ricci [*Nominated*]
* Best Direction of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: Anjelica Huston
* Best Writing of a Motion Picture or Miniseries: Anne Meredith [*Nominated*]
* Best Motion Picture Made for Television [*Nominated*]
* Best Editing in a Motion Picture or Miniseries [*Nominated*]
* Best New Theme Song in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: Van Dyke Parks [*Nominated*]

**San Francisco International Film Festival** (1997)

* Certificate of Merit\Television for Drama-Television Feature: Anjelica Huston [**Winner**]

**Television Critics Association Awards** (1997)

* Outstanding Achievement in Movies, Miniseries and Specials [**Winner**]

**Young Artist Awards** (1997)

* Best Performance in a TV Movie/Mini-Series - Young Actress: Jena Malone [**Winner**]

**YoungStar Awards** (1997)

* Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Made For TV Movie: Jena Malone [*Nominated*]

**Writers Guild of America** (1998)

* WGA Award (TV) Adapted Long Form: Anne Meredith [**Winner**]