A Map of the World (film)

A Map of the World is a 1999 American drama film, based on the 1994 novel by Jane Hamilton. Directed by Scott Elliott and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, the film stars Sigourney Weaver, Julianne Moore and David Strathairn. Weaver was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama for her performance.

A Map of the World
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Scott Elliott
Screenplay by	Peter Hedges Polly Platt
Based on	A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton
Produced by	Kathleen Kennedy Frank Marshall
Starring	Sigourney Weaver Julianne Moore David Strathairn Arliss Howard Chloë Sevigny Louise Fletcher
Cinematography	Seamus McGarvey
Edited by	Naomi Geraghty Craig McKay
Music by	Pat Metheny
Production companies	Kennedy/Marshall Overseas Filmgroup First Look Studios
Distributed by	USA Films[1]
Release dates	September 13, 1999 (1999-09-13) (TIFF) January 21, 2000 (2000-01-21) (USA)
Running time	125 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$544,538[1]

Synopsis

Alice Goodwin is a school nurse who lives with her husband Howard and two girls on a small dairy farm in Wisconsin. After the death of the daughter of her friend Theresa Collins on Alice's property, the couple watch helplessly as the community turns against them. To make matters worse, Alice finds herself fighting charges of child abuse.

Cast

• Sigourney Weaver as Alice Goodwin
• Julianne Moore as Theresa Collins
• David Strathairn as Howard Goodwin
• Arliss Howard as Paul Reverdy
• Chloë Sevigny as Carole Mackessy
• Sara Rue as Debbie
• Aunjanue Ellis as Dyshett
• Nicole Ari Parker as Sherry
• Bruklin Harris as Lynelle
• Lisa Emery as Susan Durkin
• Ron Lea as Dan Collins
• Louise Fletcher as Nellie Goodwin

In addition, Emma and Claire Goodwin, the young daughters of Weaver's character, were played by real-life sisters Dara and Kayla Perlmutter.

Reception

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, 66% of 56 reviews are positive, and the average rating is 6.4/10. The critics consensus states, "Disjointed storytelling overshadows noteworthy performances."^[2] On Metacritic, the film has an average score of 65 based on reviews from 25 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".^[3]

Film critic Roger Ebert gave the film three and a half out of four stars, praising the performances, and likening it to such movies as Being John Malkovich and Three Kings in "being free—in being capable of taking any turn at any moment, without the need to follow tired conventions".^[4]

Awards and nominations

Year	Award / Festival	Category	Recipient(s)	Result
1999	National Board of Review	Special Recognition for Excellence in Filmmaking	A Map of the World	Won[5][6]
		Best Supporting Actress	Julianne Moore (also for Magnolia and An Ideal Husband)
	San Sebastián International Film Festival	Golden Shell	Scott Elliott	Nominated[7][8]
2000	National Society of Film Critics Awards	Best Supporting Actress	Julianne Moore (also for Magnolia, Cookie's Fortune and An Ideal Husband)	Nominated[9]
	Golden Satellite Awards	Best Screenplay – Adapted	Peter Hedges and Polly Platt	Nominated[10]
		Best Actress – Drama	Sigourney Weaver
	Golden Globe Awards	Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama		Nominated[11][12]
	Cairo International Film Festival	Golden Pyramid	Scott Elliott	Nominated[13][14]

References

1. "A Map of the World (1999) - Financial Information". The Numbers. Archived from the original on 2022-11-26. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
2. "A Map of the World (1999)". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on September 3, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
3. "A Map of the World". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2020-09-20. Retrieved 2021-01-02.
4. Ebert, Roger (February 4, 2000). "A Map of the World Review". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on August 9, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
5. National Board of Review of Motion Pictures :: Awards for 1999
6. "1999 Archives". Archived from the original on 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
7. "San Sebastian Film Festival". Archived from the original on 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
8. "San Sebastian Film Festival". Archived from the original on 2023-09-05. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
9. "Past Awards". 19 December 2009.
10. "2000 | Categories | International Press Academy". Archived from the original on 2020-04-29. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
11. Higgins, Bill; Gray, Tim (19 December 1999). "Globes' 'Beauty' pageant". Variety. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
12. Wolk, Josh (23 January 2000). ""American Beauty," "Sopranos" dominate the Golden Globes". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
13. "US Threatens to Withdraw Film from Cairo Festival". Archived from the original on 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2024-09-03.
14. "Cairo International Film Festival - Filmes". Cineteka. Archived from the original on 23 January 2008. Retrieved 2024-09-03.

External links

• A Map of the World at IMDb
• A Map of the World at Box Office Mojo