Mare Winningham Movies
Mare Winningham is a critically acclaimed performer on stage, television, and occasionally feature films. She began her career performing a song on TV's notorious Gong Show. While playing Maria in a high school production of The Sound of Music, opposite classmate Kevin Spacey, Winningham was spotted by Hollywood agent Meyer Mishkin who landed her a role in the short-lived TV Western series The Young Pioneers in 1978. This led to her first TV movie, Special Olympics. For her role as an independent-minded farmer's daughter in 1980's Amber Waves, she won an Emmy. That year, Winningham made her feature-film debut starring opposite Paul Simon in Robert M. Young's One-Trick Pony. She fared better in her next film, Threshold (1981), where she played the recipient of an artificial heart. Winningham then went on to play a number of supporting roles and the occasional lead in a series of unremarkable films. She continues to fare much better on television, where she has appeared in popular films such as The Thorn Birds (1983) and Helen Keller: The Miracle Continues (1984). She was part of the ensemble in the Gen X touchstone St. Elmo's Fire in 1985 and went on to appear in Shy People, Miracle Mile, the Tom Hanks with a dog vehicle Turner and Hooch, and Wyatt Earp. She earned long-deserved award recognition in 1995 for playing a successful singer struggling with her drug-addicted sister in Georgia. Her work in that film garnered her an Oscar nomination Best Supporting Actress, and she won that award at that year's Independent Spirit Awards. She had a recurring role on the hit medical drama ER at the close of the '90s. As the 21st century began she maintained her status as a first-class character actress appearing in a variety of projects such as Snap Decision, The Adventures of Ociee Nash, and Dandelion. She enjoyed a recurring role on Grey's Anatomy, but she found even greater small screen success with back to back Emmy nominations for Best Supporting actress in a movie or miniseries in 2011 and 2012 with her work in Mildred Pierce and Hatfields & McCoys. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
The timeless fairy tale Snow White gets a dazzling makeover by visionary director Tarsem Singh in this fantasy adventure starring Oscar winner Julia Roberts as the Evil Queen and newcomer Lily Collins as the fair-skinned Princess Snow White. When handsome Prince Alcott (Armie Hammer) falls for angelic Snow White, the jealous Evil Queen seizes control of a magical kingdom and casts the orphaned princess into exile. Meanwhile, as the diabolical queen schemes to win the heart of handsome Prince Alcott with the help of her bumbling servant Brighton (Nathan Lane), Snow White befriends a gang of pint-sized thieves who will help her to reclaim her rightful place on the throne and win back the man of her dreams. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Julia Roberts, Lily Collins, (more)
Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet stars in director Todd Haynes' five-part, made-for-HBO miniseries charting the hopes and heartaches of a single, middle class, Los Angeles mother as she fights to win her daughter's affections during the Great Depression. Guy Pearce, Evan Rachel Wood, James LeGros, Mare Winningham, Melissa Leo, and Hope Davis co-star in a film based on the 1941 novel by author James M. Cain. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce, (more)
Jim Sheridan's film, adapted from Susanne Bier's 2004 movie, concerns Captain Sam Cahill (Tobey Maguire), a Marine who receives orders to ship out for yet another tour of duty in Afghanistan. But before he leaves his supportive wife, Grace (Natalie Portman), and his two elementary-school-age daughters, Sam picks up his black sheep brother, Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal), who has finished a prison stretch for robbing a bank. While overseas, Sam's aircraft gets shot down and he's thought dead. Back home, irresponsible Tommy gets his act together in order to be an anchor for Grace and the girls, and the two grow emotionally -- though not physically -- close. As the family finally begins to make peace with their grief, soldiers rescue POW Sam and he returns home. Sam's experiences overseas have caused him such emotional turmoil, he has a difficult time adjusting to civilian life, and soon his fear and paranoia manifest themselves in the form of jealousy for his brother's relationship with his wife. Sam Shepard and Mare Winningham co-star as the brothers' father and stepmother. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, (more)
Inspired by a true story, War Eagle, Arkansas follows the emotional journey of a talented young athlete wrestling with the difficult decision to leave his working-class town and pursue a career in baseball, or remain at home and continue to be the glue that holds his community together. Enoch Cass (Luke Grimes) may stutter so badly that he can barely get a sentence out, though his inherent good nature and his skill on the baseball diamond ensures that he's not only beloved in his community, but has a good chance of making it to the major leagues as well. Ever since he was a young boy, Enoch has been best friends with Samuel "Wheels" Macon (Dan McCabe). Samuel suffers from cerebral palsy, and as a result he's been confined to a wheelchair since childhood. Together there's nothing that Enoch and Samuel can't accomplish, though now that Enoch is at the crossroads of childhood and independence those days may be numbered. Enoch's domineering grandfather (Brian Dennehy) still regrets the fact that he was forced to give up his own minor league career forty years prior, and sees in his grandson a chance to finally fulfill the dream that has haunted him for decades. And while his mother often clashes with Enoch's grandfather over the issues, his co-worker Jack and Samuel's mother Jessie always seem willing to offer some level-headed advice. Later, after a memorable performance at the All-Star game, Enoch finds himself pursued by persuasive college recruiters, and finally catching the attention of pretty local girl Abby. It's all pretty overwhelming for the boy who never thought he could amount to anything on his own, and as his personal relationships begin to dissolve in the wake of his recent success, Enoch is faced with making the decision that will not only affect his own future, but the futures of everyone around him as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Luke Grimes, Dan McCabe, (more)
When the mischievous antics of a precocious 12-year-old girl result in the outcome of the United States presidential election hinging on the vote of her apathetic, likable loser of a father, the man who thought that life had long since passed him by is reluctantly thrust into the national spotlight in this political-themed comedy starring Kevin Costner. Bud Johnson (Costner) is your typical American -- a simple man and loving father who never would have thought he had the power to change the world. Though when election day finally arrives and Bud prepares to cast his ballot, his overachieving daughter Molly proves to be the catalyst for a stunning series of events that place the fate of the free world in the hands of a man more comfortable slinging cases of beer -- her father. The two candidates are portrayed by Dennis Hopper and Kelsey Grammer, with Nathan Lane and Stanley Tucci as their campaign managers. George Lopez also stars as a local TV-station manager who has to deal with the political factions as they set up camp in the small town. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kevin Costner, Madeline Carroll, (more)
- 2007
In the first episode of a two-part story, Addison (Kate Walsh) heads to LA for a reunion old medical-school friends, blissfully unprepared for what it is in store for her. Meredith's stepmom Susan (Mare Winningham) is brought in with a truly bad case of hiccups, just as Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) thinks she has come to terms with their relationship. "Jane Doe" (Elizabeth Reaser) has been identified as "Ava", and Alex (Justin Chambers) is happy with her by any name. And Cristina (Sandra Oh) prepares for her wedding with the dubious input of her own mother (Tsai Chin) and Burke's mom (Diahann Carroll). This episode serves to introduce the future costars of the Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice: Tim Daly (Pete), Amy Brennerman (Violet), Taye Diggs (Sam), Chris Lowell (Dell) and Paul Adelstein (Cooper) (the character of Naomi, here played by Merrin Dungey, would be taken over by Audra McDonald in Private Practice). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2007
The revelation that Izzie (Katherine Heigl) once gave up a daughter for adoption is a challenge which George (T. R. Knight) is willing to face, or so he thinks. Down in the dumps over her vacillating relationship with Derek (Patrick Dempsey), Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) must also contend with her stepmother Susan (Mare Willingham). Cristina (Sandra Oh) and Burke (Isaiah Washington) have trouble summoning enthusiasm over their impending marriage as long as Colin (Roger Rees) remains on the scene. Alex (Justin Chambers) is convinced that he has found the family of the beleagured "Jane Doe" (Elizabeth Reaser). And in a lighter moment, Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) teaches an old dog--namely Dr. Webber (James Pickens Jr.)--a few new tricks. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2007
Recovering from her near-death experience, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) is convinced that her outlook on life has completely changed. More and more candidates are vying for the chief-of-surgery position soon to be vacated by Webber (James Pickens Jr.), among them handsome doctor Colin Marlow (Roger Rees), whose arrival has a strange effect on Cristina (Sandra Oh). Derek (Patrick Dempsey) finds himself treating an old friend (Shohreh Aghashloo) whose tumor may well be inoperable. Still trying to cope with the loss of Denny Duquette, Izzie (Katherine Heigl) is profoundly moved by WW2 vet Scofield (James Gammon),who has come to Seattle Grace to remove a bullet that has been lodged in his body for over sixty years. And Alex (Justin Chambers) prepares the first of several operations on the severely injured "Jane Doe" (Elizabeth Reaser). This is the episode in which George (T.R. Knight) begins questioning the wisdom of his marriage to Callie--culminating in a drunken misadventure with another female staffer! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2007
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Addison (Kate Walsh) undergoes a profound personal crisis as she mulls over the possibility of moving to LA's Oceanside Wellness Center (thereby setting the stage for the Grey's Anatomy spinoff Private Practice). Back in Seattle, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) learns that her stepmother Susan (Mare Winningham) is suffering from something far more serious than a bad case of hiccups. Alex (Justin Chambers) shows up for emotional support as Derek (Patrick Dempsey) performs emergency surgery on Ava (Elizabeth Reaser). And Burke (Isaiah Washington) and George (T.R. Knight) get quite an earful when they turn to Bailey (Chandra Wilson) for marital advice. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2006
Burke (Isaiah Washington) is on the verge of kicking George (T.R. Knight) out of his place. Meredith unearths yet another carefully guarded family secret when her stepmother Susan (Mare Winningham) shows up. To regain her much-feared stature as "the Nazi", Bailey (Chandra Wilson) demands to assist Derek (Patrick Dempsey) as he operates on an ailing child, but succeeds only in revealing her softer side (again!) And Alex (Justin Chambers) is forced to fine-tune his bedside manner after he blurts out the truth about a terminal patient (Laurie Metcalf) to the woman's daughter. Chris O'Donnell makes his first series appearance as handsome "McVet" (veterinarian, that is) Finn Dandridge. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2006
Things become more strained than usual between Burke (Isaiah Washington), who has been offered the position of chief surgeon, and Cristina (Sandra Oh), who is still keeping Burke's tremors a secret. Elsewhere, Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) must bite her tongue to keep several secrets from her half-sister Molly (Mandy Siegfried), who has been admitted as a patient. George (T.R. Knight) senses his father's vulnerability for the first time when the elder O'Malley (George Dzundza) undergoes surgery. And Mark (Eric Dane) and Derek (Patrick Dempsey) must cope with conjoined twins (Jason Sklar, Randy Sklar) who refuse to be separated despite the consequences of not doing so. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2005
Adapted from the story by Ann Howard Creel, this Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation is set in rural Colorado in 1944. After she becomes pregnant by a departing soldier, Livy Dune, the wealthy, pampered daughter of a Denver minister (Daryl Shuttleworth), is forced to forever abandon her hopes of becoming an archeologist. To shield her from further scandal, Livy's father ships her off to a remote farm and arranges her marriage with shy farmer Ray Singleton (Skeet Ulrich), who is struggling to live up to his proscribed responsibilities to the wartime government. Clearly depressed by the situation, Livy does as well as she can to be polite and civil to her husband and his sister Martha (Mare Winningham), but it is clear that she'd rather be dead than married to a man she doesn't even know. For Ray's part, he is unfailingly generous and supplicative, but the realization that Livy doesn't want him makes him feel more inadequate than ever. With almost painful slowness, the two lost souls finally come to love and cherish one another, while each one also learns to forgive themselves for their own imagined shortcomings. A subplot involves the couple's relationship with a brace of well-educated Japanese girls living in a local internment camp. The Magic of Ordinary Days made its CBS debut on January 30, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Keri Russell, Skeet Ulrich, (more)
Independent filmmaker Mark Milgard makes his feature debut with the coming-of-age drama Dandelion, filmed on-location in Idaho. TV star Vincent Kartheiser plays Mason Mullich, a quiet sensitive boy living in a small town. His mother, Layla (Mare Winningham), is already overworked when his factory worker father, Luke (Arliss Howard), decides to run for city council. Things change for Mason when he meets Danny Voss (Taryn Manning), a young girl who just moved to town with her mother (Michelle Forbes). Their young love affair is complicated by a family accident. Dandelion premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 as part of the American Spectrum program. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi
- Starring:
- Vincent Kartheiser, Taryn Manning, (more)
- 2003
A typically quirky and eccentric offering from prolific TV producer David E. Kelley, the weekly drama series The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire was set in the titular fictional community, wherein virtually everything of any importance was handled by the three Shaw brothers. Oldest sibling Hank Shaw (Randy Quaid) was the town's police chief and hockey coach; middle brother Garrett (John Carroll Lynch) was the mayor of Poland; and younger brother Waylon (Chris Penn) managed to wield a lot of authority despite the fact that he was an unemployed ex-convict. Also seen were Mare Winningham as Hank's wife Dottie, Elizabeth McGovern as Garrett's wife Helen, Ann Cusack as Waylon's wife Julie, Megan Henning as Garrett's daughter Monica, and Angela Goethals as Waylon's daughter Katie. Best described as Northern Exposure with middle-aged angst and populated with the sort of oddball supporting characters so typical of the Kelley oeuvre, The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire premiered September 24, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Carroll Lynch, Randy Quaid, (more)
Nine-year-old Ociee Nash (Skyler Day) is living a carefree life in rural Mississippi, spending her days playing with her brother, Ben (Bill Butler), and her dog, Woofer. After she befriends a mysterious Gypsy, however, her single father (Ociee's mother has died) decides this tomboy existence is not the one she should be leading, and decides to send Ociee to live with her straight-laced Aunt Mamie (Mare Winningham) in Ashville, NC, in hopes that she can teach Ociee to become a proper young lady. While Ociee is not pleased with the situation, she soon finds interesting people and adventures in her new home. She befriends well-bred Elizabeth Murphy (Jasmine Sky) and meets colorful characters such as Nellie Bly (Donna Wright), Orville and Wilbur Wright (Sean Daniels and Ty Pennington), and even President McKinley (Daniel Burnley). She also manages to get herself into plenty of scrapes and misadventures, much to the displeasure of Aunt Mamie. Over time, however, Ociee and Aunt Mamie come to understand and appreciate each others' differences, allowing Ociee's true sprit and character to shine through. The Adventures of Ociee Nash is based on the novel A Flower Blooms on Charlotte Street by Milam McGraw Propst and adapted for the screen by sisters Amy and Kristen McGary (who also directs). ~ Sarah Block, Rovi
- Starring:
- Keith Carradine, Mare Winningham, (more)
- 2002
Trudy Walker (Clara Bryant), known to her friends and family as "Tru," is a girl in her early teens who would like to be a broadcast journalist. Trudy has a twin brother, Eddie (Shia LaBeouf), who is developmentally challenged as a result of oxygen deprivation during gestation. Tru has long been torn between her love for her brother, her difficulty in understanding how to help him, and her guilt over the fact he was born challenged and she was not. Tru's conflicting emotions are not eased by the fact her mother (Mare Winningham) often seems emotionally distant and her father buries himself in work to avoid the issue of his son. When a local cable access channel sponsors a contest for student filmmakers, with the winner getting their own weekly television show, Tru decides to make a documentary to enter in the competition. Trying to settle on a subject, Tru opts to make a film about Eddie, and in the process takes a long, hard look at her brother's problems and accomplishments which gives her a whole new perspective on his life. Produced for The Disney Channel, Tru Confessions premiered on April 5, 2002. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Clara Bryant, Mare Winningham, (more)
Actress Salma Hayek makes her directorial debut with this heartwarming drama based on the novel by Theodore Taylor. José (Eddy Martin) is a young boy from Mexico who sneaks into the United States in search of his father, a migrant worker. On the run with an injured arm and looking for a place to rest, José sneaks into a church in San Ramos, CA, and hides in a scaffolding above the pulpit. Blood from José's arm drips onto a statue of Christ, and the next morning when Josephina (Soledad St. Hilaire), a devoted member of the congregation, arrives for her daily prayers, she's convinced that the plaster figure is weeping tears of blood. Father Russell (Peter Fonda), the parish priest, isn't sure if this is a genuine miracle or not, though given the town's financial woes and his own waning faith, the timing would be good for one. As Father Russell tries to determine just what has happened, Josephina begins spreading word of the miracle, as and the story spreads, it becomes increasingly embellished. Soon curious believers and intrigued skeptics flood San Ramos, boosting the town's sagging economy, with Maisie (Mare Winningham), proprietor of the local cafe, one of the prime beneficiaries. Maisie, however, has also discovered and taken in José, and when she and her friend Cruz (Ruben Blades) learn the truth about the weeping statue, they're unsure if they should tell the townspeople just what has happened. The Maldonado Miracle was produced for cable television broadcast in a partnership between Hallmark Productions and the Showtime premium cable network. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Peter Fonda, Mare Winningham, (more)
- 2002
Everybody Loves Raymond's Doris Roberts is perfectly typecast as lifelong busybody Rose (Doris Roberts), who insists upon meddling in the affairs of her grown daughter Maggie (Mare Winnignham) whether anybody likes it or not. Aware that Maggie's marriage to husband Brian (Tom Verica) is in trouble, Rose tries to "fix" things by arranging a Eastern vacation for the couple, which will allow them to hear the Bells of St. Peters' in Rome; perhaps, reasons Rose, this will bring about the miracle that will bring Maggie and Brian back together. A sudden, fatal illness forces a radical change in plans--and an unhappy ending seems to be inevitable. So where's the miracle? And for that matter, where are Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2001
Inspired by a true story, this made-for-TV drama follows two women who find themselves wrongly accused under a broadly worded child protection law, and now must fight for their lives and reputations. Jennifer Bradley (Mare Winningham) is a mother of three living in Cincinnati, and Carrie Dixon (Felicity Huffman) is one of Jennifer's best friends -- and also the godmother of her children. Carrie works as a photographer and brings a camera along when she comes to Ohio to pay Jennifer a visit. One morning, while the kids are running about as Jennifer tries to get them dressed, Carrie pulls out her camera and takes photos of the children playing. The children are only partially dressed in the pictures, and when she takes the film in to be processed, Carrie is accused by an overly zealous lab employee of producing child pornography. When the identity of the children becomes known, Jennifer is accused of being an accomplice, and despite the protests from both women that the pictures are simply family photos and perfectly innocent, both find themselves having to defend themselves in court. For Carrie, losing the case would mean a long stretch in jail and the end of her career, while for Jennifer defeat would mean an even worse fate -- losing the custody of her children. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mare Winningham, Felicity Huffman, (more)
- 2000
By rights, child psychologist Dr. Nina Moss (Mare Winningham) should be pleased and proud that her daughter Beth (Alison Lohman) is a slim, eternally upbeat overachiever. But Nina suspects that all is not well with Beth--and she's right. Desperate to be accepted by her family and friends, and determined to be fully in control of her own destiny, Beth has become bulimic, "binging" and "purging" whenever things threaten to get out of hand in her life--or whenever she gains a single pound beyond her "ideal" weight. The winner of a 2001 Peabody Award, Sharing the Secret originally aired May 10, 2000, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Alison Lohman
- 2000
- G
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This miniseries details the complex real-life relationship between Thomas Jefferson (Sam Neill), author of the Declaration of Independence and his slave Sally Hemings (Carmen Ejogo). Fuelled by recent DNA evidence of the Hemings-Jefferson relationship, the miniseries sidesteps much of Jefferson's political life and instead focuses on the love story. Though she acquired her freedom at age 16 while traveling with Jefferson to France, she faithfully remained with her lover throughout his life in spite of emotional consequences to both her brother and her children -- who were doomed to be sold as slaves. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi
- Starring:
- Sam Neill, Carmen Ejogo, (more)
- 1999
The top-rank performances of Lauren Bacall, Richard Chamberlain and Lindsay Frost elevate the two-part TV biopic Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke from the usual malaise of lurid, voyeuristic trash. As she lies near death in her luxurious mansion, 80-year-old tobacco heiress Doris Duke (Bacall) hardly seems to take notice of the sinister behavior of her boozing, control-freak butler Bernard Lafferty (Chamberlain). Ultimately, of course, Doris will die (in 1993), and the mysterious circumstances will cast suspicion on the redoubtable Mr. Lafferty (who himself died three years later). Before this happens, however, Doris flashes back to the sordid events of her life, whereupon the title role is taken over by a series of younger actresses, with Frost playing Doris from ages 20 through 50. We see how Doris' future is shaped by her loving, overindulgent father (Joe Don Baker) and her aloof, icy mother (Kathleen Quinlan). Though warned early on that Doris would always have to be wary of fortune hunters, she progresses through a string of highly publicized and largely unhappy romances, and also endures two disastrous marriages. All the familiar players in this real-life drama are in attendance, including writer Louis Bromfield (Brian Dennehy), international playboy Pofirio Rubirosa (Michael Nouri), and Doris' adopted daughter Chanzy (Mare Winningham) who is destined to break Doris' heart time and time again until the grieving millionairess finally worked up the courage to renounce the girl. Also touched upon are Doris' lifelong obsessions, which ranged from mysticism to belly-dancing. Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke was originally telecast by CBS on February 21 and 22, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lauren Bacall, Richard Chamberlain, (more)
- 1999
New ER chief Amanda Lee (Mare Winningham) continues to display erratic behavior as she fantasizes about a night of torrid sex with Greene (Anthony Edwards). Digging into Lee's past, Greene discovers serious discrepancies in her medical school records -- not to mention a major problem with her "famous" journal article. Elsewhere, Lucy (Kellie Martin) fends off the amorous Dr. Edson (Matthew Glave); Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) dates a policeman; and Weaver (Laura Innes) receives a startling phone call. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1998
Made-for-television and based on a true story, this drama recounts the bizarre case of a mentally unstable woman who believes that someone is trying to kill her. When police hear Catherine's story of how a strange man has threatened her with notes and phone calls they take her seriously and launch a surveillance and investigation. It doesn't take them much time to discover that there is something strange about the case: the woman is somehow threatening herself without realizing it. The police suggest a psychiatrist, and Catherine agrees to go, thereby beginning a harrowing odyssey into the darkest realms of her long-buried memories and twisted soul. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mare Winningham, Bruce Davison, (more)
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