Jeri Jacquin
Coming to theatres from director Ami Canaan Mann and Blue Harbor Entertainment comes the story of a woman way before her time with AUDREY’S CHILDREN.
It is 1969 and Dr. Audrey Evans (Natalie Dormer) has arrived at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia to take up her position as the first female Chief of Oncology. Her boss is none other than Dr. C. Everett Koop (Clancy Brown) who believes that Dr. Evans has something special she can bring to the table. Right off the bat, Dr. Evans shows that she is no shrinking violet much to the surprise of her colleagues. Yet one, Dr. Dan D’Angio (Jimmi Simpson) is willing to listen to her ideas but also caution’s when she becomes too vocal.
Wanting to find a way to treat children faster and with new methods, Dr. Evans takes risks and, at one point, goes over the heads of hospital administrators. Making it clear that Neuroblastoma treatments are needed quickly, she does receive time to come up with a staging system to classify the disease in such a way that each individual child is treated for their specific needs. Dr. D’Angio begins to understand her and realizes that she is onto something and even tries her method of getting things done.
At the same time, Dr. Evans discovers that families who are at Children’s Hospital can not afford to stay long due to the prices of hotels and food. This gives Dr. Evans another idea that means she, once again. will do the unconventional. Never taking ‘no’ for an answer is the reason that her work and legacy would come to impact the lives around the world.
Dormer as Dr. Evans portrays a woman that just doesn’t know the meaning of ‘no’. She faced criticism and sexism by her peers, was frowned upon for her way of doing things and pushed upon by those who felt threatened by what she was trying to accomplish. Dormer easily handled this role as she has with so many other strong female characters and I would expect nothing less. As Dr. Evans, Dormer gave us a portrayal that is charming, feisty, determined and goal oriented and I was riveted by her performance.
Simpson as Dr. D’Angio looked to be out of sorts when meeting Dr. Evans, shocked at the way she handled things and yet, found a way to see her point of view and even, in his own way, embrace it. In an era where a man did not do such things, Simpson gave us one who dared to take a step out of the proverbial box to see the world that needed them both. Brown as Dr. Koop played both sides of the fence on this one. He was angry when Dr. Evans pushed a little too hard against the grain and yet kept it to himself that he believed she could accomplish so much more.
Other cast include Brandon Hall as Dr. Brian Faust, Julianna Layne as Mia McAlister, Evelyn Giovine as Kate Watson, Maggie Toomey as young Audrey, Ben Chase as Dr. Jeremy Lewis, and Roberto Lombardi as Dr. Jeff Katz.
Blue Harbor Entertainment offers filmmakers a much-needed alternative in today’s challenging distribution environment by providing a comprehensive distribution and marketing solution covering theatrical releases, home entertainment, digital streaming platforms, and television – all under a service fee structure that empowers filmmakers. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.blueharborentertainment.com.
Dr. Audrey Evans co-founded the first Ronald McDonald House for families of patients, and, ultimately, impacted the lives of millions of children and families around the world!
The film was the Official Selection at the Philadelphia Film Festival as well as winning the Local Audience Award at the same festival, the Stony Brook Film Festival gave the film the Humanitarian Award, Jury Nominee at the Austin Film Festival, and the Tribeca X Award Winner Feature at the Tribeca Festival.
AUDREY’S CHILDREN is a wonderful story about a woman who knew what she wanted to achieve and found a way to make that happen. Believing that there was a way to help children that would otherwise succumb to their illness, Dr. Evans pushed the envelope of what is expected in the medical field. Being a woman in her position did not seem to slow her down but instead bring more focus to her efforts. The film is released in Honor of Women’s History Month and the late Dr. Evans’ 100th Birthday.
This is a story that everyone should see and experience if for nothing else, to understand that women have made an impact in the world in such stellar ways. The history of the Ronald McDonald House is admittedly a story that I did not even know so it is thrilling to finally know how it came about and the work so many put in to make it happen. Even today, families are supported by the work Dr. Evans and those working with her accomplished and the world couldn’t be more grateful.
In the end – they said it can’t be done, she said we’ll see about that!
