Miss Virginia is a 2019 American drama film directed by R.J. Daniel Hanna and starring Uzo Aduba in a title role as a struggling inner-city mother who sacrifices everything to give her son a good education. Supporting cast include Matthew Modine, Niles Fitch, Amirah Vann, Adina Porter, Aunjanue Ellis, and Vanessa Williams. The film is based on a true story.[1]
| Miss Virginia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | R.J. Daniel Hanna |
| Written by | Erin O'Connor |
| Produced by | Maurice Black M. Elizabeth Hughes Erin O'Connor Stacey Parks Rob Pfaltzgraff |
| Starring | Uzo Aduba Matthew Modine Niles Fitch Amirah Vann Adina Porter Aunjanue Ellis Vanessa Williams |
| Cinematography | Nancy Schreiber |
| Edited by | Brian Scofield |
| Music by | Laura Karpman |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Vertical Entertainment |
Release date |
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The film was released on October 18, 2019, by Vertical Entertainment.[2] Miss Virginia received mixed reviews from critics, earning praise for Aduba's performance but criticism for muddling the politics of school vouchers.
Cast
edit- Uzo Aduba as Virginia Walden
- Matthew Modine as Congressman Cliff Williams
- Niles Fitch as James Walden
- Amirah Vann as Shondae Smith
- Adina Porter as Annette Johnson
- Aunjanue Ellis as Congresswoman Lorraine Townsend
- Vanessa Williams as Sally Rae
- Samantha Sloyan as Mrs. Watson
- Kimberly Hébert Gregory as Tasha White
- Erik LaRay Harvey as Mayor Anthony Carver
Production
editProduction began in November 2017, when Uzo Aduba was cast in a leading role.[3][4] In April 2018, Matthew Modine, Aunjanue Ellis, Vanessa Williams and Kimberly Hébert Gregory joined the cast and filming began later that month in Los Angeles.[5][6][7]
Miss Virginia was the first narrative production of the Moving Picture Institute,[8] and one of several MPI films that push for school choice programs.[9] MPI has received support from school choice supporter and Republican political donor Rebekah Mercer, who was also previously on its board.[10]
Reception
editOn review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 50% based on 14 reviews.[11]
References
edit- ^ "Miss Virginia | Official Trailer (HD) | Vertical Entertainment". YouTube. 2019-08-30. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (July 23, 2019). "Uzo Aduba Pic 'Miss Virginia' Gets October Release Date In Vertical Deal; Melanie Martinez's 'K-12' Movie Set At Abramorama; Dark Star Lands 'The Prey'".
- ^ ""Orange Is the New Black's" Uzo Aduba to Topline "Miss Virginia"". womenandhollywood.com.
- ^ McNary, Dave (November 3, 2017). "'Orange Is the New Black's' Uzo Aduba to Star in Drama 'Miss Virginia' (EXCLUSIVE)".
- ^ McNary, Dave (April 2, 2018). "Matthew Modine Joins Uzo Aduba in Drama 'Miss Virginia' (EXCLUSIVE)".
- ^ Busch, Anita (April 10, 2018). "Aunjanue Ellis and Vanessa Williams Join 'Miss Virginia'; Christopher Egan, Hanna Griffiths Cast In 'Brokers'".
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (April 20, 2018). "Emma Hamilton To Star In 'Fatal Beauty'; Kimberly Hebert Gregory Joins 'Miss Virginia'; Lonnie Chavis In 'Sunny Daze'".
- ^ Estes, Theo (October 18, 2018). "Miss Virginia Review: School Vouchers Are the New Black".
- ^ Swan, Betsy (September 13, 2016). "The Secret Heiress Funding the Right-Wing Media". The Daily Beast.
- ^ Stein, Perry (October 13, 2019). "D.C.'s controversial school vouchers get the star treatment in a new movie". The Washington Post.
- ^ "Miss Virginia (2019)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 30, 2021.