The 19th Wife (film)
| The 19th Wife | |
|---|---|
| Written by |
Richard Friedenberg (teleplay) David Ebershoff (novel) |
| Directed by | Rod Holcomb |
| Starring |
Chyler Leigh Matt Czuchry Patricia Wettig Jeff Hephner |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Cinematography | Peter Benison |
| Running time | 95 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Sony Pictures Television |
| Release | |
| Original release | September 13, 2010 |
The 19th Wife is a 2010 Lifetime television film and adaptation of David Ebershoff's novel of the same name.
Plot
Amidst a Southern Utah Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints community, BeckyLyn (Wettig) is accused of murdering her polygamist husband. A fellow wife, Queenie (Leigh) is convinced of her friend's innocence and with BeckyLyn's son, Jordan (Czuchry) they work to clear his mother's name.[1]
Cast
- Chyler Leigh as Queenie
- Matt Czuchry as Jordan
- Patricia Wettig as BeckyLyn
- Jeff Hephner as Hiram
Reception
The Huffington Post praised the "impressive" cast for bringing "life and credence to this fascinating story of murder and faith". The review continued: "It is fascinating to watch from beginning to end not just because of the "whodunit" factor but also because of the religious implications. Plus the cast strikes just the right tone of intensity and natural charm."[2]
Monsters and Critics described it posively as a "sweeping epic" that is both "compelling" and "thought-provoking."[3]
Controversy
Ebsershoff, the author of the original novel, was not satisfied with the film over significant plot changes the producers made. Most significantly of these was to exclude Jordan's homosexuality, as presented in the novel, and present him as a heterosexual character.[4]
Ebsershoff explained his disapproval in an interview:
I had no role in the adaptation. A few weeks before filming began I learned that Jordan had been rewritten as straight. I was told that this was a network decision. Obviously I was offended, disappointed, and baffled. I hope that the movie sends people to the book so that they can meet my Jordan, along with his boyfriend, Tom, and their dogs, Elektra and Joey.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ Monday's TV highlights Los Angeles Times. 13 September 2010
- ↑ The 19th Wife: Polygamy Under the Gun Huffington Post. 13 September 2010
- ↑ Lifetime's The 19th Wife Sept. 13 poised to be a ratings smasher, previews Monsters and Critics. 13 September 2010
- ↑ ‘The 19th Wife’ Author Miffed With Lifetime For Changing Gay Theme ‘The 19th Wife’ Author Miffed With Lifetime For Changing Gay Theme Thai Indian News. 14 September 2010
- ↑ Lifetime De-Gays Movie Version of "The 19th Wife," Author is "Disappointed" and "Baffled After Elton. 14 September 2010