Watch The Ballad of Lucy Whipple

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple is a 2001 TV movie based on the book of the same name by Karen Cushman. The movie is set in the 1840s during the California gold rush and follows the story of a young girl, Lucy Whipple, and her family as they move from a comfortable life in a Massachusetts mill town to a rugged mining town in California. Lucy Whipple, played by Jena Malone, is a headstrong and intelligent girl who is not happy about the move from the East Coast to the West. Her mother, Arvella Whipple, played by Glenn Close, is also unhappy with the move but feels like it's necessary for the family's financial stability. Her father, Amos Whipple, played by Bruce McGill, insists that the family make the best of their new home.

The family's journey to California is filled with danger and excitement, and the movie does an excellent job of showing the harsh realities of traveling long distances in the 1840s. The Whipple family eventually arrives in California and settles in a mining town called Lucky Diggins.

The town is rough and dirty, and the people there are desperate for gold. Lucy struggles to adjust to her new surroundings and misses her old life in Massachusetts. She resists making friends and is reluctant to immerse herself in the local community.

Lucy is forced to confront her fears and make new friends when her mother falls ill. She becomes friends with a Chinese boy named Chen Sing, played by Yau-Gene Chan, who helps her take care of her mother. Lucy's relationship with Chen Sing is a beautiful part of the movie and shows the power of friendship and kindness.

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple is a classic coming-of-age story that explores the themes of identity, family, and community. The movie does an excellent job of portraying the struggles that many people faced during the gold rush and shows how people from all walks of life came together to create a new way of life in California.

The acting in the movie is superb, with Glenn Close giving a powerful performance as Arvella Whipple, a woman who is torn between her love for her family and her desire for a more comfortable lifestyle. Jena Malone is perfect as Lucy Whipple, bringing a sense of vulnerability and strength to the character.

The Ballad of Lucy Whipple is a beautiful and poignant movie that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled with adapting to a new place or accepting change in their life. It's a timeless story that reminds us of the power of love and the importance of community.