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Freak City

  • TV Movie
  • 19991999
  • 1h 44m
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
366
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Samantha Mathis, Jonathan Silverman, Natalie Cole, Marlee Matlin, and Peter Sarsgaard in Freak City (1999)
  • Drama
After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a rebellious young woman is disease-stricken. Upon being admitted to a nursing home, she finds hope in the most unlikely of places...After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a rebellious young woman is disease-stricken. Upon being admitted to a nursing home, she finds hope in the most unlikely of places...After being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a rebellious young woman is disease-stricken. Upon being admitted to a nursing home, she finds hope in the most unlikely of places...
IMDb RATING
6.2/10
366
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Lynne Littman
  • Writer
    • Jane Shepard
  • Stars
    • Samantha Mathis
    • Natalie Cole
    • Marlee Matlin
Top credits
  • Director
    • Lynne Littman
  • Writer
    • Jane Shepard
  • Stars
    • Samantha Mathis
    • Natalie Cole
    • Marlee Matlin
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 11User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos

    Samantha Mathis and Natalie Cole in Freak City (1999)
    Samantha Mathis and Marlee Matlin in Freak City (1999)
    Samantha Mathis and Peter Sarsgaard in Freak City (1999)
    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Samantha Mathis
    Samantha Mathis
    • Ruth Ellisonas Ruth Ellison
    Natalie Cole
    Natalie Cole
    • Eleanor Sorrellas Eleanor Sorrell
    Marlee Matlin
    Marlee Matlin
    • Cassandraas Cassandra
    Peter Sarsgaard
    Peter Sarsgaard
    • Cal Jacksonas Cal Jackson
    Jonathan Silverman
    Jonathan Silverman
    • Lenny Stanapolousas Lenny Stanapolous
    Estelle Parsons
    Estelle Parsons
    • Mrs. Stanapolousas Mrs. Stanapolous
    Eve Crawford
    • Nurse Veronicaas Nurse Veronica
    Janet Lo
    Janet Lo
    • Nurse Franas Nurse Fran
    Karen Robinson
    Karen Robinson
    • Nurse Janas Nurse Jan
    Nola Augustson
    Nola Augustson
    • Evelyn Lissardas Evelyn Lissard
    Rodger Barton
    • Tom Lissardas Tom Lissard
    Anne Bellamy
    • Grandmaas Grandma
    Kurt Brunus
    • John Sorrellas John Sorrell
    Sergio Di Zio
    Sergio Di Zio
    • Leo Bermanas Leo Berman
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    • Mary Manmouthas Mary Manmouth
    Michele George
    • Mantias Manti
    Rio Hackford
    Rio Hackford
    • Dennisas Dennis
    Susan Kottman
    • Mrs. Honeywellas Mrs. Honeywell
    • (as Susan Kottmann)
    • Director
      • Lynne Littman
    • Writer
      • Jane Shepard
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Freak City
    Freak City

    Storyline

    Edit
    Freak City tells the moving story of a young woman, played by Samantha Mathis, who is diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and is institutionalized by her family. Alone and feeling abandoned she struggles to regain her sense of dignity and independence by bonding with a wide assortment of fellow patients. Other residents at the home include Jonathan Silverman as a blind man, Marlee Maitlin, a woman with cognitive disabilities, and singer-actress Natalie Cole as a blues singer injured in an accident and left with severe mental and emotional challenges. Working together they share many funny and sometimes bittersweet moments and celebrate overcoming their challenges as a family brought together by circumstance. —Anonymous
    • motorized wheelchair
    • man in wheelchair
    • woman in a wheelchair
    • multiple sclerosis
    • f rated
    • 4 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      When Ruth is leaving Cal's room after kissing, she pulls her blouse over her shoulders twice.
    • Soundtracks
      The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight
      Written by Bill Berry (as William Berry), Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills

      Performed by R.E.M.

    User reviews11

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    More possible than others want to think
    Other reviewers focused on the improbable circumstances of the story. Being familiar with institutions, asylums, and homes since the mid-60s I can vouch for there still being plenty of places like those depicted to warehouse the unwanted. Having paperwork makes it easier even if it's the wrong paperwork. This holds true for adults; there are plenty of ways to entangle them in the system.

    What I really wanted to those who care that the movie is full of strong language. Many of the characters toss off obscenities easily. I am used to a TV-14 being roughly equivalent to PG-13. The PG-13 however only permits limited strong language and this film runs way beyond counting. I do not know that the rest of the content would have warranted an R rating in theaters. The language would have to be toned down to get the PG-13, however, as the f-bomb detonates more than I would want my children to hear. More than I want to hear too now that I am thinking about it.

    Otherwise cast members each have beautiful scenes that highlight their strengths as actors. Watching that is a real pleasure since there is so much talent pooled in this cast. Also nice that the movie is old enough that many are caught before their careers took off.
    helpful•0
    0
    • BenKarlin
    • Jul 25, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 25, 2007 (Sweden)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • La ciudad de los monstruos
    • Filming locations
      • Ontario, Canada
    • Production company
      • Showtime Networks
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 44 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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