Hooked

Author(s): Connor Campbell
Location: Carrollton, Texas

"Hooked”

Directed by Bennett Miller
Written by Dan Futterman

Principal Cast:

Jennifer Aniston- Genevieve Keller Hughes
Kelly Bishop- Miranda Keller
Albert Finney- Samuel Keller
Abigail Breslin- Sammy Hughes
Sara Gilbert- Sandra Keller
Meryl Streep- Kelly Franklin
Christina Ricci- Hannah Franklin
Patrick Fugit- Drake Westerlage
Fantasia Barrino- Keisha Standridge
T.R. Knight- Daniel Lewis

Tagline: "Is it really worth it?"

Synopsis: Genevieve Keller had an excellent childhood. She grew up in a wealthy neighborhood in Hartford and attended Yale. She got married shortly after graduating to her high school sweetheart. They had a daughter that they named Sammy. Life was great for Genevieve, until that day. After having a head on collision, her husband who was DNR, died in his hospital room, before Genevieve had the chance to say good-bye. She was now a single mother and widow. Genevieve quit her job and moved in with her parents, Miranda & Samuel. Genevieve took a job at a law firm where she met Drake, who was on trial for drug possession. He was a drug dealer. Soon enough, Genevieve developed an addiction of Marijuana. Genevieve’s sister Sandra and cousin Hannah soon discover Genevieve’s addiction. They tell her that they know, and she goes into denial, to the point where she is yelling at them. Genevieve, who has now developed a speed addiction, is confronted one day when she gets home from work. Her mother, father, daughter, sister, cousin, and aunt Kelly have organized an intervention. She enrolls in rehab, where she meets Daniel and Keisha. When Keisha overdoses and dies, it scares her into quiting. We then follow her slow recovery.

What the press would say:

Aniston’s name should be etched into the oscar now! Jennifer gives the performance of a lifetime as drug addict Genevieve Keller Hughes. She studied many films for this role, even Girl, Interrupted (Angelina Jolie). She is so believable and won’t be ignored come February. The Gilmore Girls’ Kelly Bishop delivers as Miranda Keller. A drug addict’s mom is a hard role to play and she nails it! Abigail Breslin also wows. Her performance is very reminiscent of Dakota Fanning’s in “I am Sam”. The Academy usually ignores children but I pray to God that this won’t be the case. Albert Finney is on Fire! His character is hard on the surface but soft inside. His character’s flashbacks of using in his twenties give us a deep understanding of how he’s taking his daughter’s addiction in. Finney won’t be ignored at Oscar time. Streep and Ricci make an incredible mother/daughter team. Streep is always amazing, and there’s on exception here. Ricci & Gilbert also are very convincing as Genevieve’s friends and relatives who are concerned for her health, but are afraid to do anything about it. Patrick Fugit’s role although limited, is very powerful and Fugit hits the right note with this one. Barinno shocked me. Who knew she was such a great actress? Her performance reminds me of Angelina Jolie in Girl, Interrupted. She is phenomenal. Grey’s Anatomy’s T.R Knight is also very convincing. His character who is very skittish and brittle brings a tear to your eye. He is great. Futterman has written yet another masterpiece and he and Bennett are guaranteed another oscar nod

NOMINATIONS

Best Picture
Best Director- Bennett Miller
Best Actress- Jennifer Aniston
Best Supporting Actress- Kelly Bishop
Best Supporting Actress- Abigail Breslin
Best Supporting Actress- Sara Gilbert
Best Supporting Actress- Meryl Streep
Best Supporting Actress- Christina Ricci
Best Supporting Actress- Fantasia Barrino
Best Supporting Actor- Albert Finney
Best Supporting Actor- Patrick Fugit
Best Supporting Actor- T.R. Knight
Best Original Screenplay- Dan Futterman