American Violet

Name: American Violet
Genre: Drama
Released: April 17, 2009
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Alfre Woodard, Nicole Beharie, Will Patton

2009

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Mixed or average reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Ratings

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American Violet

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Movie Details & Credits

Samuel Goldwyn Company, The | Release Date: April 17, 2009 | PG-13

Starring: Alfre Woodard, Nicole Beharie, Will Patton

Summary: Based on true events during the 2000 election, American Violet tells the astonishing story of Dee Roberts, a 24 year-old African American single mother of four young girls living in a small Texas town tow is barely able to make ends meet. While police drag Dee from work in handcuffs, dumping her in the squalor of the women’s county prison,Based on true events during the 2000 election, American Violet tells the astonishing story of Dee Roberts, a 24 year-old African American single mother of four young girls living in a small Texas town tow is barely able to make ends meet. While police drag Dee from work in handcuffs, dumping her in the squalor of the women’s county prison, the powerful local district attorney leads an extensive drug bust, sweeping her house projects with military precision. Dee has no prior drug record and no drugs were found a hellish choice: plead guilty and go home as a convicted felon or remain in a prison, jeopardizing her custody and risking a long prison sentence. She chooses to fight the district attorney and the unyielding criminal justice system, risking everything in a battle that forever changes her life and the Texas justice system. (The Samuel Goldwyn Films)… Expand

Director: Tim Disney

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 103 min

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Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum

An artlessly powerful performance by newcomer Nicole Behaire anchors American Violet. Read full review

Steven Rea

A torn-from-the-headlines tale of institutional racism and injustice in the Lone Star State of not-so-long-ago, American Violet might not be subtle, but it's certainly powerful. Read full review

Todd McCarthy

Dee is an engaging, admirable lead character, and the striking, petite Beharie, in only her second screen role, is a real winner, bringing energy and fortitude to a woman who easily could have joined the ranks of society's victims and losers. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

A message movie that's genuinely worth watching. Read full review

David Edelstein

If you're in the mood for a liberal message movie in which the only surprise is no surprise, American Violet is the ticket. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Earnest, mostly predictable and candidly didactic. That said, I'm glad it got made -- what's wrong with films that teach? -- and especially glad that a remarkably gifted newcomer named Nicole Beharie got to play the central role. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Plodding drama. Read full review

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User Reviews

JuanaH.

Apr 21, 2009

I saw this movie and it really was an eyeopener as to how the justice system works for some. The young actress did a great job.

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JayH.

Oct 4, 2009

Predictable but generally well done drama. Nicole Beharie is excellent in the lead role. Fair screenplay, it didn

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