Carolina (2003)

A young woman escapes her wildly eccentric family in search for a life of normalcy.

Director:

Marleen Gorris

Writer:

Katherine Fugate

Stars:

Julia Stiles, Shirley MacLaine, Alessandro Nivola

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Julia Stiles	...	Carolina
Shirley MacLaine	...	Grandma Mirabeau
Alessandro Nivola	...	Albert Morris
Randy Quaid	...	Ted Mirabeau
Edward Atterton	...	Heath Pierson
Azura Skye	...	Georgia Mirabeau
Mika Boorem	...	Maine Mirabeau
Jennifer Coolidge	...	Aunt Marilyn
Alan Thicke	...	Chuck McBride
John Capodice	...	Ernie the Cook
Lisa Sheridan	...	Debbie
Ambyr Childers	...	Young Carolina
Daveigh Chase	...	Young Georgia
Lauri Johnson	...	Susan the Waitress
Michael Panes	...	John

Storyline

Carolina Mirabeau was raised 'free-spirited' with two sisters by eccentric, domineering grandma Millicent in the country. Carolina's city neighbor, talented and witty Jewish author Albert Morris, is her best friend, confidant and the wacky family's favorite guest. Yet she begins dating Heath Pierson, an 'all too perfect' upper class brilliant Britton, whom she met in the TV studio where she's fired as dating show candidates-screener. But the past and some truths catch up with all of them.

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Plot Keywords:

triple f rated | forename as title | one word title | character name as title | f rated | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Filmax [Spain]

Country:

USA Germany

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 April 2004 (Germany)

Also Known As:

Carolina Torn Asunder

Filming Locations:

California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$308,641

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bregman-IAC Productions, Carol Baum Productions, Carolina Torn Asunder Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min (Ontario)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kathy Bates was originally considered for the role of Grandma Mirabeau, later given to Shirley MacLaine.

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Goofs

The rings and bracelet on Carolina's left hand change repeatedly between shots when she's kissing Albert at the end of the movie.

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Quotes

Grandma Mirabeau: After a while you learn that the rules of the world don't have to apply to you. It's all nonsense. You're here, you die.

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Connections

References 9½ Weeks (1986)

User Reviews

A nice love story emerges amidst the chaos of a strange family

Carolina (Julia Stiles) might be termed the sane one in an Addams-like family. Her grandmother (Shirley MacLaine) is notorious for doing and saying what she likes in their southern town. Sister Georgia is single and pregnant from a one night stand and sister Maine is a rocking horse-riding, lottery obsessed girl. The family's father is a semi-recovering alcoholic who turned to drink after the mother's death. Oh, and Aunt Marilyn is a madam. Only Carolina seems to be the white bread type, having a job in television and a British businessman for a boyfriend. However, Carolina has a long relationship with the handsome writer next door, Albert (Alessandro Nivola). It has been a friendship; could it ever be anything else? Amid the chaos of a very strange family situation, a nice love story emerges. Stiles is wonderful as the beautiful young lady who loves her family but hopes to live a more sedate life. MacLaine is really quite nice, also, as the eccentric grandmother and the other cast members are fine. However, the story is a stroll down life in extremes, careening from one bizarre incident to another. Maybe there are families like this one but, if you ever meet one, run for your life. That said, if you wish to locate another sorta-romcom for the evening, you might try this one, especially if you have seen most of the other light comedy-and-romance films that are out there.