Accidental Friendship
Written byAnna Sandor
Directed byDon McBrearty
StarringChandra Wilson
Ben Vereen
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Running time120 minutes
Production companyAutomatic Pictures
Original release
NetworkHallmark Channel
ReleaseNovember 15, 2008 (2008-11-15)

Accidental Friendship is a 2008 Hallmark Channel original film directed by Don McBrearty, and written by Anna Sandor[1] based on a true story. It stars Chandra Wilson and Ben Vereen.

Plot

Homeless woman Yvonne Caldwell (Chandra Wilson) is a woman with good reason to be bitter: she has lost everything except her two beloved dogs, Bebe and Man-Man. With her one friend, Wes (Ben Vereen), Caldwell lives the daily struggle of being homeless in Los Angeles until a chance encounter caused by her dogs leads to a friendship with LAPD officer Tami Baumann (Kathleen Munroe), and hope for a better life begins in earnest for Yvonne. Friendship between the two women seemed improbable, but their friendship provided a base of support and respect for Yvonne and Tami for more than five years.

Cast

True story

In real life, Yvonne Caldwell met Officer Tami Baumann, an officer at LAPD’s 77th Street Division, in 2003. It was Yvonne’s three dogs that caught Tami’s attention, and the overwhelming care she took of the strays. Tami, who was well known in the department for her love of animals – and who had been finding homes for strays since she was a child – used this connection to form a bond with Yvonne.

Over time, Yvonne began to open up to Tami, relating her gradual fall into poverty, a tale of struggling with abuse and abandonment which led to a long battle with alcoholism. By mid-2001, her prized SUV was her home and only possession, but that too was taken from her when she couldn’t afford the fees to release it from impound after it was stolen. Fortunately, Tami was eventually able to convince Yvonne to enter rehab and embark on a program designed to save her life.[2]

Critical reception

The film was generally well-received by critics. Variety stated that the director "doesn't stoop to the usual gimmicks," and called the script "thoughtful." They also thought the story was "simple" and "meaningful," and said it was "more of a character study than a message movie."[3]

Marilyn Moss of The Hollywood Reporter gave it a milder review, stating that the film "stretches it a bit in the sentimental category," but still "holds a grip without too much effort," yet at the same time "there is hardly anything to set a spark." She also said, "When the corn doesn't get in the way of the story, this movie is believable and affecting." Chandra Wilson was praised for her portrayal as a "bitter"; Moss stated that "she easily takes hold of the frame whenever she's in it."[4]

Award and honors

Chandra Wilson was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Movie for her performance.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Chandra Wilson Experiences an Accidental Friendship". The Hollywood Reporter. MovieWeb.com. 3 April 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2008.
  2. ↑ "Press Release 9/23/08". Hallmark Channel Press Site. Archived from the original on 2008-09-29.
  3. ↑ Fries, Laura (13 November 2008). "Accidental Friendship Review". Variety.
  4. ↑ "TV Review: Accidental Friendship". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 24, 2008.
  5. ↑ "Chandra Wilson Receives Emmy Nomination for Hallmark Channel Original Movie Accidental Friendship". Hallmark Channel Press Site. Archived from the original on 2010-10-21.
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