The Great Gilly Hopkins
The Great Gilly Hopkins

The Great Gilly Hopkins

2015Movie99 minEnglish

Young and feisty Gilly Hopkins devises a scheme to escape from her new foster home and reunite with her birth mother.

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IMDb5.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes67%
Metacritic54/100
Google Users88%
Director: Stephen HerekGenres: Comedy, Drama

Plot Summary

Gilly Hopkins is a feisty and imaginative 11-year-old girl who has been shuffled from foster home to foster home. When she lands with the eccentric Maisie W Church, Gilly initially schemes to reunite with her birth mother. However, as she begins to form unexpected bonds with Mrs. W, her classmates, and her new foster siblings, Gilly starts to question her own preconceived notions about family and belonging. Her journey is one of self-discovery and learning the true meaning of home.

Critical Reception

The Great Gilly Hopkins received a generally positive reception from critics and audiences, with praise often directed towards the performances of its cast, particularly Sophie Nélisse as the titular character and Kathy Bates as Mrs. W. While some noted its adherence to a familiar children's story formula, many appreciated its heartwarming message and emotional depth.

What Reviewers Say

  • A heartwarming and well-acted adaptation of Katherine Paterson's beloved novel.
  • Sophie Nélisse delivers a compelling performance as the challenging but ultimately endearing Gilly.
  • While predictable, the film effectively explores themes of family, acceptance, and finding one's place.

Google audience: Audiences generally enjoyed "The Great Gilly Hopkins," highlighting its strong performances, particularly from the young lead and Kathy Bates. Many found the film to be an emotional and uplifting story that resonates well with families. Some viewers noted its straightforward narrative, but the overall sentiment was positive, with appreciation for its themes of overcoming adversity and finding love.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the 1978 novel of the same name by Newbery Medal-winning author Katherine Paterson, who also wrote "Bridge to Terabithia."

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