All-American Girl: The Mary Kay Letourneau Story
| The Mary Kay Letourneau Story: All-American Girl | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Genre | Crime Drama |
| Written by | Julie Hébert |
| Directed by | Lloyd Kramer |
| Starring | Penelope Ann Miller Omar Anguiano Mercedes Ruehl |
| Music by | Howard Aye Domenic Troiano Jon Stancer (uncredited) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Sonny Grosso Larry Jacobson Russell Best (co-executive producer) John Kle (co-executive producer) |
| Producers | J. Miles Dale Kevin Lafferty (line producer) |
| Cinematography | Brian R.R. Hebb |
| Editor | David Hicks |
| Running time | 120 minutes |
| Production company | Grosso-Jacobson Productions |
| Original release | |
| Release | January 18, 2000 |
The Mary Kay Letourneau Story: All-American Girl is a 2000 television film based on the real-life story of Mary Kay Letourneau's illicit affair with one of her sixth grade students.[1][2] The film was broadcast on the USA network on 18 January 2000 and was followed with a special entitled Letourneau: Live, which featured interviews with Letourneau and others involved with the scenario.[3]
The lead role of Letourneau was played by actress Penelope Ann Miller and filming took place in Toronto during 1999.[2] Letourneau cooperated with the film's producers. As she could not receive profits from the film per the Son of Sam law, her fees were placed in a trust fund for her children.[2] As a way of developing her role, Miller corresponded with Letourneau over the telephone.[4]
Cast
- Penelope Ann Miller as Mary Kay Letourneau
- Omar Anguiano as Vili Fualaau
- Mercedes Ruehl as Jane Newhall
- Rena Owen as Soona Fualaau
- Greg Spottiswood as Steve Letourneau
- Christopher Bondy as John Schmitz
- Janet-Laine Green as Mrs. Schmitz
- Gary Hudson as Charles Dunphy
- Robert Clark as Steven, Jr.
- Lori Hallier as Jan Griffin
- Julie Khaner as Det. Coughlin
- Philip Akin as Det. Albany
- Chloe Brown as Girl Student
- Nadia Capone as Susan Trenton
Reception
Critical reception for All-American Girl was mixed.[5] Charleston Daily Mail praised the film, writing "More than just a tawdry detour into the Jerry Springer/Ricki Lake cesspool of shock value, this film presents a sympathetic look at a confused woman who still contends that Vili is her destined soulmate, the love of her life."[6] The Los Angeles Daily News was more mixed in their review, praising the filmmakers for putting " a little care and thought into their production" and that it did not "waste one's time or aggressively insult one's intelligence" while also stating that the film was "ultimately unsatisfying" and did not "provide much insight into the case".[7] Variety panned the film overall, writing that "USA Network's "The Mary Kay Letourneau Story: All-American Girl" wastes a good opportunity to shed light on some really screwed up people. Despite Penelope Ann Miller's eerie resemblance to Seattle's infamous seductress, this factual telepic about the world's most "giving" teacher offers little insight and is buried underneath overblown production values."[8]
References
- ^ Givens, Ron. "A TEACHER'S OBSESSIVE TEEN LOVE". New York Daily News. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ a b c "LETOURNEAU STORY TO BE TOLD IN TV MOVIE". The Columbian (subscription required). August 3, 1999. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ "'LETOURNEAU STORY,' AWARDS SHOWS HIGHLIGHT WEEK.(LIVING)". The Cincinnati Post (subscription required). January 17, 2000. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ Bobbin, Jay (January 17, 2000). "USA DRAMA STARS PENELOPE ANN MILLER AS SCANDALOUS SCHOOLTEACHER". The Buffalo News (subscription required). Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ Jicha, Tom. "Movie On Mary Kay Should Make Usa Blush". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ McDONOUGH, KEVIN (January 18, 2000). "Shows tell all-American tales gone terribly awry: ; Letourneau compelling, Kinkel a fearful puzzle". Charleston Daily Mail (subscription required). Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ Kronke, David (January 18, 2000). "MURDEROUS STUDENT, AMOROUS TEACHER.(L.A. Life) (television program review)". Daily News (subscription required). Retrieved 25 November 2014.
- ^ Speier, Michael. "Review: 'The Mary Kay Letourneau Story: All-American Girl'". Variety. Retrieved 25 November 2014.