In the deep south, Frankie Addams (Julie Harris) is a 12 year old tomboy who has no friends and is abnormally tall. She feels abandoned by her older brother who is getting married. She is desperate to leave her small town and travel the world. She spends her day in the kitchen talking to their cook Berenice Sadie Brown (Ethel Waters) and her little cousin John Henry.
The biggest issue with this movie is Julie Harris as 26 playing 12. She's acting the hell out of it and it works to some degree in the kitchen. As a sweaty three hander, there are some great interactions and her age does not interfere too much. It's harder to hide her age when Frankie runs away into town. Some of that section would be horrifying if an actual 12 year old played the role. She just looks like a young lady in her twenties when the men are being pigs. She does get an Oscar nomination for her troubles. Also, the movie should end when she returns home. That's the natural ending. Apparently, this is a novel and then a play and even a TV movie after this came out. Adapting into a ninety minutes movie often means cutting a lot of the fat. In this case, it may be worthwhile to cut off a limb. The part in the kitchen is well worth it and I wonder if a remake with a real 12 year old would be possible.
The biggest issue with this movie is Julie Harris as 26 playing 12. She's acting the hell out of it and it works to some degree in the kitchen. As a sweaty three hander, there are some great interactions and her age does not interfere too much. It's harder to hide her age when Frankie runs away into town. Some of that section would be horrifying if an actual 12 year old played the role. She just looks like a young lady in her twenties when the men are being pigs. She does get an Oscar nomination for her troubles. Also, the movie should end when she returns home. That's the natural ending. Apparently, this is a novel and then a play and even a TV movie after this came out. Adapting into a ninety minutes movie often means cutting a lot of the fat. In this case, it may be worthwhile to cut off a limb. The part in the kitchen is well worth it and I wonder if a remake with a real 12 year old would be possible.