» GENERAL INFORMATION

Written by: Connie May Fowler
Produced by: Harpo Films Inc. [us]
Distributed by: Harpo Pictures
Film Location: Ojai, California, USA
From the Book: Connnie May Flower – Before Women Had Wings

» STORY

[Overview]

A poor working class woman and widow can’t handle the suicide of her violent husband and turns her despair violently against her own two daughters. When the younger daughter is seeking friendship with a black neighbor widow, her mother runs amok. This very slow and silent working class family drama is one of the best of its genre that I’ve seen for a very long time. It’s intense, touching, thrilling, although sometimes a bit too “schmaltzy” and teardrop-dominated.

[Synopsis]

Before Women Had Wings is a powerful and provocative true story about the loss of a child’s innoence.
‘Bird’ Jackson is a young girl whose lie with her parents is painful and frightening. She turns to her reclusive neighbour Miss Zora, played by Oprah Winfrey, to escape the harsh realities of her home life, and it is through their friendship that Bird learns to dream of a better life. But Miss Zora knows that Bird cannot survive on dreams alone, and that there is only one way to save her.

© Harpo Films


» CAST

Oprah Winfrey … Zora Williams
Ellen Barkin … Glory Marie Jackson
Tina Majorino … Avocet Abigail ‘Bird’ Jackson
Julia Stiles … Phoebe Jackson
John Savage … Billy Jackson
Burt Young … Louis Ippolito
William Lee Scott … Hank Jackson
Louis Crugnali … L.J. Ippolito
David Hart … Sheriff

Entire castlist @ IMDB

» PHOEBE JACKSON

Phoebe watches her dysfunctional family fully aware of the daily routines in her family. She seems somewhat annoyed that her younger sister Bird is being naive about the situation, and at the same time it causes her pain to see this. She has built up a cold front and never shows any signs of affection during her parents’ many rows.

» DVD INFORMATION

Released: 30th June 2003

Bonus Material:

» LINKS
IMDB – Official Site – Wikipedia