THE RUSSELL GIRL

REVIEWED BY CHARITY BISHOP

Our rating: 5 out of 5

Rated:

There is one thing I have learned about Hallmark Hall of Fame dramas over the years -- it is rare that you will not need a Kleenex before the conclusion. The Russell Girl is the emotional journey of one young woman's search for redemption from a tragic mistake, and the healing that goes on in the lives of the people around her through being forced to confront the past.

It is something no one ever wants to hear: leukemia. And yet it is exactly what the doctor diagnoses for Sarah Russell (Amber Tamblyn), to explain away her recent bought of weariness and difficulty keeping food down. She hangs up the phone, stares dismally across the room, cleans a few dishes, and then goes home to the small town where she grew up, without a word of explanation to her parents and nothing but a haunted expression. While Sarah tries to figure out how to tell her parents the truth, she wrestles with her grief and guilt over what happened seven years earlier across the street. The instant she pulls into the driveway, her neighbor Lorainne (Jennifer Ehle) looks as if she has seen a ghost, and escapes into the house. Having "The Russell Girl" home for the summer wrecks havoc on her nerves, and Lorainne withdraws further into her shell.

Even though her family and friends encourage her to forget what happened so long ago and forgive herself, Sarah cannot get over the desire to make things right with the Morriseys if she can. What she brings to the surface are wounded feelings, general resentment, and self-loathing for an unpreventable accident that threatens to destroy one family and put her into an early grave. The story is ultimately one of redemption and forgiveness, wrapped up in a surprisingly moving and sad package that forces audiences to wonder what they might have done in similar circumstances. I don't think there is a parent alive who has not feared something like this.

It has been twelve years since Jennifer Ehle made a dramatic appearance on American television, when A&E first broadcasted its magnificent six hour production of Pride & Prejudice, but Ehle's character here is as far from Elizabeth Bennett as anyone could ever get -- an angry, embittered woman striving to forgive herself and everyone involved, mainly Sarah. She is such a complicated woman that we struggle to understand her, for one moment she is fine, compassionate, caring, and the next the wall closes in around her heart and isolates her from her husband again. Tamblyn, better known for the similarly moving Joan of Arcadia, is wonderful as a girl torn between guilt and an eerie sense of poetic justice, since she believes she is being punished for her mistakes. True, the story is in some ways predictable but we crave redemption and hope so much that we don't mind its lesser moments of originality.

It is not all broken memories, either, as Sarah's return to town has also sparked the interest of her high school sweetheart, Evan (Paul Wesley). Ben Lewis also puts in a memorable performance as Lorainne's long-suffering but ever-loving husband, Jon. Most of the content is thematic -- dealing with leukemia causes Sarah to be physically sick on several occasions, and there is the grief of parents who have lost a child. Sarah is almost in a car accident; it's implied someone has fallen down the stairs. There is no language or sexual content; Evan and Sarah share a very tender and innocent relationship.

There is no specific mention of Christianity (both families do apparently attend church) but its messages are Christian in their themes, ranging from Jon's determination to love and protect his wife to Sarah learning that she must trust and confide in her family. It is not something you would want to watch every weekend, because there are beautifully poignant moments that should not be overly indulged in at the risk of bringing on melancholy, but The Russell Girl is a suitable addition to Hallmark's generous collection of family-oriented material, and can and should be enjoyed by anyone old enough to appreciate its themes of redemption.

additional thoughts by Rissi C.

Hallmark Hall of Fame has produced over two hundred films. There have been comedies, dramas and even some period films among them. Most have been really good and some could even be called superb, but there have been a fair share of distasteful additions. The Russell Girl falls among the better films.

She had almost lost hope. Hope for the future… hope for reconciliation…. Hope for forgiveness…until she came home. Sarah Russell (Amber Tamblyn) is a small town girl who left after high school and now lives in the city of Chicago working as a buyer for mega retail store Macy’s. After experiencing some health problems she sees a doctor and learns she has a quickly progressing form of Leukemia. Shocked and alone, she decides to go home in order to break the news to her family. Once there she meets up again with her neighbor Lorraine Morrissey (Jennifer Ehle) with whom she has a tragic past. A past that Lorraine can’t and won’t forgive Sarah for, therefore Sarah blames herself for what happened.

As Sarah eases back into her old life, she learns that she has been accepted into medical school, something that makes her parents exceedingly proud of her. Because of their constant delight, Sarah finds it hard to tell them what she is really home for and lets them believe it’s just to take a vacation. The two-hour story that unfolds is heart wrenching and we ultimately see our characters aspiring to look their future in the eye and accept it rather than living in their painful past. 

For several years, my family has watched these productions and believe me, we have seen our fair share of off films among the ones we’ve watched. Whether it is Brush with Fate, Riding the Bus with my Sister or Old Man, there has been a certain percentage not worthy of being included in this Hall of Fame collection compared to some of the classic stories Hallmark has brought to life. While this may not go down as a classic, it has become one of my favorites in this series. Perhaps it’s the story of forgiveness when Sarah felt all hope was gone, the characters or the unique perspective behind the camera in telling the story that connects with us the audience, whatever it is this newest addition deserves a look.

Amber Tamblyn is probably best known for her teen roles that are considered more family friendly such as Joan of Arcadia. I must confess though my first (and only) introduction to her was in the 2005 comedy/drama Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. After reading an article on this film, Amber remarked on being ready to move to some more mature roles and that this was a start. She does well in the role of Sarah and manages an “adult” role well; she pulls off the scenes of illness well and really seems to embody her character. Another big attention grabber of this movie for me was Jennifer Ehle in a leading role from the miniseries Pride and Prejudice. Her emotional performance as a mother and wife who seemed to forget what she did still have was excellent. Hopefully we’ll see Ehle and Tamblyn in future roles that are just as enjoyable.

The main thrust of this film is the story of a woman who felt she caused a tragic event in her past that seemingly broke her neighbor’s ability to “live” and consequently ruined whatever relationship she had with them. Because of that, Sarah couldn’t forgive herself and wanted to make it on her own; she pushed the people that care about her the most away. She remarks that since the accident of six years ago she’s just been waiting for the other shoe to drop and wonders if things happen to “bad people” as a punishment. Surprisingly my favorite scenes come between Sarah and her high school boyfriend  as well as Lorraine and Sarah rather than with her family. Most of the scenes are touching and the performances are very good; when Lorraine tells Sarah to tell her family what’s really wrong with her and what follows and when Sarah tells her boyfriend of her illness.

For those of you wondering if this has anything content wise in it, the most disturbing is some mature thematic elements. The whole issue of Sarah’s illness being possibly fatal may not be comprehended very well by younger viewers and likewise what happened in Sarah’s past may be potentially distressing. Sarah holds back the truth from her family about her condition and attempts to hide it from everyone. She tells some lies about her life back in the city; saying she has a boyfriend, etc. We see an accident on a freeway, ambulances, medical workers and injured people are shown, but never graphically depicted. Another time emergency workers show up at a house and are shown wheeling a stretcher in. Aside from the elements involved that may be considered adult this really doesn’t have anything “bad” in it. In the end it is emotionally enlightening as to what occurs, it was unexpected to see how Sarah’s illness comes out, but it is really well done.

Despite all the sad moments, this isn’t without some lighter moments, which we need in order to balance out the more overwrought moments. While this isn’t Christian at all and no one ever references turning to God for forgiveness some of the lines are still profound and deserve some thought. We deal with a woman wondering what has kept her husband staying with her, a young woman’s journey to a new life where she finally realizes she is blessed with the people she is surrounded by and the hope that comes with the simple words “I forgive you." Jesus came and died on the cross for all our sins and it is truly an amazing thing when one ponders what forgiveness can do and already has done. If you’re looking for something new that actually has a story and a nice message, plus good performances, check out The Russell Girl, just be ready to shed a few tears; this is one emotional story.