Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story is an American biographical drama television film based on the true story of Liz Murray, a homeless New York City teenager who was accepted into Harvard College. The film stars Thora Birch and was directed by Peter Levin. It premiered on Lifetime on April 7, 2003, and received three nominations at the 55th Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Made for Television Movie and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for Thora Birch.
Contents
Plot
Liz Murray grows up in a dysfunctional home in The Bronx with her sister, Lisa, and drug-addicted parents who contracted HIV from shared needles. Their mother Jean is schizophrenic and nearly blind, and their father Peter Finnerty is intelligent but lacks social skills and conscientiousness. He watches Jeopardy! and knows all the questions. Their bathtub does not drain, and Liz stands on an overturned bucket when showering to stay out of the fetid water. She is eventually removed from this home and placed into the care system.
At 15, Liz moves in with her grandfather Pops, along with her sister and mother. Pops had previously sexually abused Liz's aunt. When he hits Liz during a fight, she runs away from home with a female classmate named Chris who was abused at home.
Liz's mother dies of AIDS, which gives her a "slap in the face" and a sense of motivation. She becomes a star student, completing high school in just two years rather than the usual four, and earns a scholarship to Harvard College through an essay contest sponsored by The New York Times.
Cast
Thora Birch as Elizabeth "Liz" Murray
Jennifer Pisana as Young Liz Murray
Michael Riley as Peter Finnerty
Robert Bockstael as David
Makyla Smith as Chris
Kelly Lynch as Jean Murray
Aron Tager as Pops Murray
Marla McLean as Lisa Murray
Elliot Page as Young Lisa Murray
Marguerite McNeil as Eva
Amber Godfrey as Dawn
Seamus Morrison as Bobby
John Fulton as Old Irish Cop
Réjean Cournoyer as Young Irish Cop
Mauralea Austin as Miss Wanda
Cecil Wright as Mr. Maki
Reception
Awards and nominations
2003 Emmy Awards
Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie — Thora Birch
Nominated: Outstanding Made for Television Movie
Nominated: Outstanding Single Camera Picture Editing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special — Anita Brandt-Burgoyne
2003 Casting Society of America (Artios)
Nominated - Best Casting for TV Movie of the Week — Susan Edelman
2004 American Cinema Editors (Eddies)
Won - Best Edited Miniseries or Movie for Commercial Television — Anita Brandt-Burgoyne
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