That's What I Am
| That's What I Am | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Michael Pavone |
| Written by | Michael Pavone |
| Produced by | Michael Pavone |
| Starring | Ed Harris Randy Orton Molly Parker Chase Ellison Amy Madigan Alex Walters |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Samuel Goldwyn Films |
Release date |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $6,400 (US)[1] |
That's What I Am is a 2011 American drama film written, produced and directed by Michael Pavone, and starring Ed Harris, Chase Ellison, Randy Orton and Amy Madigan. This was Randy Orton's first film debut as Ed Freel.[2] The film was released in the United States on April 29, 2011, being released on DVD in four weeks later.
Plot
Set in California against the backdrop of the mid-sixties, That's What I Am is a coming-of-age story that follows 12-year-old Andy Nichol (Chase Ellison), a bright student who, like most kids his age, will do anything to avoid conflict for fear of suffering overwhelming ridicule and punishment from his junior high school peers. Everyone's favorite teacher, Mr. Simon (Ed Harris), pairs Andy with the school's biggest outcast and social pariah, Stanley aka "Big G" (Alexander Walters), on a critical school project. Sporting thick orange hair, a head too big for his body and ears too big for his head, "Big G" has been the object of ridicule since grade school. Before long, Andy will learn that there was truly a method behind Mr. Simon's madness as to why he teamed these two up. After a dramatic incident in the schoolyard, teachers and parents rethink their roles in school and society. Principal Kelner (Amy Madigan) suspends a school bully for brutally beating up a female classmate. The vindictive father of the bully makes Mr. Simon the target of a malicious rumor about his sexuality, causing Mr. Simon to question his calling as an educator and mentor to his students. When Andy is confronted by another bully and watches "Big G" fearlessly stand up for him, a series of events are triggered. Much to Andy's surprise, he learns that "Big G" is a brilliant, kind, tolerant human being, who has more dignity than anyone Andy has ever encountered. Big G personifies Mr. Simon's four word answer on how to obtain world peace.
Cast
- Ed Harris - Mr. Simon
- Molly Parker - Mrs. Nichol
- Amy Madigan - Principal Kelner
- Chase Ellison - Andy Nichol
- Randy Orton - Ed Freel
- Daniel Roebuck - Mr. Nichol
- Mia Rose Frampton - Mary Clear
- Cameron Deane Stewart - Carl Freel
- Daniel Yelsky - Norman Gunmeyer
- Alexander Walters - Stanley "Big G" Minor
- Camille E. Bourgeois III - Jason Freel
- Jordan Reynolds - Ricky Brown
- Brett Lapeyrouse - Bruce Modak
- Greg Kinnear - Narrator (uncredited)
Reception
In its limited theatrical release of 10 theaters, the film grossed about $6,400 for three days.[1] The film holds a 60% rating on Rotten Tomatoes[2].
References
- ^ "That's What I Am - Box Office Data". The Numbers. Retrieved 2011-07-26.
- ^ Lowenstein, Lael (February 16, 2011). "That's What I Am". Variety. Retrieved 2011-02-22.