Annie (2014)
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A young orphan girl becomes the center of a high-profile political campaign in modern-day New York City.
The story
In modern-day Harlem, 10-year-old Annie Bennett lives in a foster home under the care of the alcoholic Colleen Hannigan. Annie spends her Fridays waiting outside a restaurant for parents who may never arrive. Her life changes when she is rescued by Will Stacks, a germaphobic cellphone mogul and mayoral candidate, during a public incident. Seeking to boost his popularity, his campaign manager convinces him to let Annie live with him. Annie becomes a sensation, and the film follows her journey as she navigates her new life with Will, his assistant Grace, and a stray dog named Sandy, while the truth of her past remains hidden.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In Harlem, New York City, 10-year-old Annie Bennett lives in a foster home with four other girls under the care of the alcoholic Colleen Hannigan. After being saved by Will Stacks, a germaphobic cellphone mogul running for mayor, Annie is brought into his household to boost his campaign's popularity. She becomes a sensation, befriending his assistant Grace and adopting a dog named Sandy. While Will and Grace begin to fall in love, a conspiracy emerges: campaign manager Guy Danlily and Colleen plot to use Annie as a publicity stunt. When the scheme is exposed, Annie is kidnapped. A high-stakes rescue involving a helicopter chase ensues. Following her rescue, Will withdraws from the mayoral race to focus on his relationship with Grace and his new family, which includes Annie and her foster sisters. The film ends with the opening of the Stacks Literacy Centre and a final musical performance.
- First release year
- 2014
- Runtime (minutes)
- 118
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Will Gluck
- Writers
- Will Gluck · screenplay; Aline Brosh McKenna · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Jamie Foxx · Mr. William "Will" Stacks; Quvenzhané Wallis · Annie Bennett-Stacks; Rose Byrne · Grace Farrell; Bobby Cannavale · Guy Danlily; Cameron Diaz · Miss Colleen Hannigan; Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje · Nash; David Zayas · Lou
- Genres
- musical; comedy; drama
- Themes
- adoption; foster care; political ambition
- Tone and mood
- musical; comedy
- Premise and plot tags
- contemporary adaptation; musical
- Source material / true-story basis
- Little Orphan Annie (comic strip) and the 1977 Broadway musical.
- Reception
- The film received generally negative reviews from critics, though it was noted for its 'bold' musical choices and some positive individual performances.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 28% · scale: percentage · review count: 163; Metacritic · score: 33 · scale: 100 · review count: 38
- Awards and nominations
- Golden Globe Award · Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical · nomination; Golden Globe Award · Best Original Song · nomination; Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel · win; Golden Raspberry Award · Worst Supporting Actress · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was leaked online by the 'Guardians of Peace' in 2014.; The character of Miss Hannigan's first name was changed from Agatha to Colleen.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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