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12-year-old wisecracking Gilly Hopkins finds herself shuffled from foster home to foster home until she meets Maime Trotter.
“The Great Gilly Hopkins” is one of a dozen book-to-film adaptations to be released this year, and thus, the pressure is high to make a lasting impression. The good news is, if you’re among the targeted audience of the female-centric comedy/drama, it will definitely leave a decent lasting impression. The better news is that even if you don’t quite fit into the film’s ideal audience, you’ll still find the PG family drama to your liking. It’s just that holiday season, feel good movie that tugs at your heart strings – without reducing you to a puddle of tears – no matter how old you are.
Following a preteen foster kid’s shenanigans in attempts to reach her birth mother in San Francisco, “The Great Gilly Hopkins” starts off childish and clichéd, but grows on you and turns out mature and lovable, with some twists, turns, good-natured humor that keeps things fun all the way. Boasting a cast of a few very familiar faces, along with some of the industry’s finest veteran actresses, the film manages to pull you into the well-organized chaos of its family drama with its appeal to the audience’s emotions.
When spunky Galadriel Gilly Hopkins (Sophie Nélisse of “The Book Thief”), is transferred into the Maryland home of the all-too-sweet and caring Mrs. Trotter (Kathy Bates) and her young foster son, she does everything possible to make herself scarce from the hearts of those around her. All she truly cares about is fulfilling her fantasies of how spectacular life would be with her birth mother. Nonetheless, against her expectations, she becomes unable to resist attachment to the good people in her community – from her new foster family, to the beloved neighbor across the street, and even the annoying friends she didn’t intend on making at school. By that time, however, the consequences of all the actions she’d previously taken to ensure her transfer out of the Trotter home catch up to her, leaving her helpless yet again. With her heart in conflict with her mind, Gilly is forced to go with the flow, only to figure out that things are not always how they come, but rather that they are what she makes of them.
Performances by each of the child actors are nearly flawless, including Nélisse as the leading lady of the film. Kathy Bates and Glenn Close as Nonnie Hopkins are fantastic; Octavia Spencer as the embodiment of seen-it-all, heard-it-all teachers everywhere is memorable; and Bill Cobbs as the blind neighbor with a lot of heart is striking. The ensemble cast delivers in every way. As for the screenplay and direction, there are a few moments of silliness that elicit the occasional sigh and maybe an eye-roll here and there, but all in all, “The Great Gilly Hopkins” turns out pretty good. If anything, it can be appreciated for its clever use of humor, and its practicality. This is one outrageous tale that is quite believable, and surprisingly appealing to all ages. If you’re up for a dose of meaningful fun with the kids, “The Great Gilly Hopkins” won’t disappoint.
In theaters and On Demand Friday, October 7th
