TUMBLEWEEDS

Year: 1999
USA: Fine Line Pictures
UK: Entertainment Film Distributors
Cast: Janet McTeer, Kimberly Brown, Jay O Sanders, Gavin O'Connor , Laurel Holloman, Michael J Pollard, Noah Emmerich, Ashley Buccille, Cody McMains
Director: Gavin O'Connor
Country: USA
USA: 100 mins
UK: 102 mins
USA Rated: PG-13 for language, sensuality and a scene of domestic discord
UK Certificate: 12 for single use of strong language, infrequent sexual references, and family
USA Release Date: 3 March 2000 (Limited Release)
USA Release Date: 24 November 1999 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 3 March 2000


Synopsis

A vibrant, free-spirited Southern woman and her bright, engaging 12 year old daughter find themselves on a journey of self-discovery in TUMBLEWEEDS. The movie is a funny, clear-eyed and deeply moving slice of life about two people whose love for each other gives them the strength to fight for their future.

Mary Jo Walker (Janet McTeer) married at 17 has had 3 husband and numerous boyfriends. Everytime a relationship fails, Mary Jo takes to the road with her daughter, Ava (Kimberley J Brown) in search of a new home, new love and new life. This time they arrive at Starlight Beach, near San Diego, California where Mary Jo finds a job and Ava begins to build a real life for herself having friends, a growing interest in acting, and a boyfriend.

Unfortunately even though Ava hopes that she and her mother can live by themselves without the destructive influence of another ill chosen boyfriend, Mary Jo takes up with trucker Jack Hanson (Gavin O'Connor). When Mary Jo decides to leave Jack and Starlight Beach, Ava refuses to go for the first time and the situation threatens to pull them apart.