An American Daughter (film)
| An American Daughter | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Drama |
| Based on | An American Daughter by Wendy Wasserstein |
| Written by | Wendy Wasserstein |
| Directed by | Sheldon Larry |
| Starring | Christine Lahti Tom Skerritt Jay Thomas Mark Feuerstein Stanley Anderson Blake Lindsley Scott Michael Campbell Matt Weinberg Will Rothhaar Caroline Aaron Teri Austin Karen Kim Cynthia Harris Lynne Thigpen |
| Theme music composer | Phil Marshall |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Abby Adams Chad S. Hoffman Robert Schwartz Wendy Wasserstein |
| Production location | Los Angeles |
| Cinematography | Albert J. Dunk |
| Editor | Charles Bornstein |
| Running time | 91 min. |
| Production companies | Gleneagle Productions Hearst Entertainment Productions |
| Original release | |
| Network | Lifetime |
| Release | June 5, 2000 |
An American Daughter (also known as Trial by Media) is a 2000 Lifetime Television film directed by Sheldon Larry. The teleplay was written by Wendy Wasserstein, based on her 1997 play of the same name.
Plot
[edit]Dr. Lyssa Dent Hughes (Lahti) is the daughter of U.S. Senator Alan Hughes (Stanley Anderson). She appears to be headed for nomination as the U.S. Surgeon General until a background check reveals she once neglected to return a jury duty notice. Then, she makes a faux pas in comments about her homemaker mother that leaves her open to a media blitz and her certain nomination suddenly appears to be in doubt. She is supported by her best friend, Judith Kaufman (Lynne Thigpen), an African American Jewish feminist[1] and physician, who has her own set of troubles.
Cast
[edit]- Christine Lahti as Lyssa Dent Hughes
- Tom Skerritt as Walter Abrahmson
- Jay Thomas as Timber Tucker
- Mark Feuerstein as Morrow McCarthy
- Lynne Thigpen as Dr. Judith Kaufman
- Stanley Anderson as Sen. Alan Hughes
- Blake Lindsley as Quincy Quince
- Scott Michael Campbell as Billy Robbins
- Matt Weinberg as Nicholas
- Will Rothhaar as Kip
- Caroline Aaron as Veronica
- Teri Austin as Greta
- Karen Kim as Hope
- Cynthia Harris as Charlotte "Chubby" Hughes
Production
[edit]The made-for-TV film was broadcast on the Lifetime network in June 2000.[2][3] The TV film is based on Wasserstein's play of the same title, An American Daughter, which ran on Broadway in 1997.
Critical response
[edit]The Variety reviewer noted that the "screenplay is much more than an exploration into the mutual adulation of and animosity toward powerful women. It’s also a provocative look at the complex issues that converge when the definition of roles, be they gender or political, are called into question."[3]
Awards and nominations
[edit]- Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film (Lahti, nominated)
References
[edit]External links
[edit]
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