Charms for the Easy Life (2002)
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59% of users liked it
(445 ratings)
Charlie Kate Birch (Gena Rowlands) is a peculiarly powerful Southern matriarch, an anachronism in the early 20th century. She's a self-educated woman who makes a good living as a midwife and holistic healer. One day, she saves a black man who's been lynched, and he thanks her by giving her a… More Charlie Kate Birch (Gena Rowlands) is a peculiarly powerful Southern matriarch, an anachronism in the early 20th century. She's a self-educated woman who makes a good living as a midwife and holistic healer. One day, she saves a black man who's been lynched, and he thanks her by giving her a rabbit's foot, which supposedly "brings an easy life" to the person who carries it. Charlie's husband leaves her soon thereafter, but she had begun to think he was an idiot anyway. Charlie's only character flaw seems to be her attraction to unworthy men, and she passes that trait on to her daughter, Sophia (Mimi Rogers). Sophia's husband is an unfaithful lout, and he dies an early death, leaving Charlie, Sophia, and her daughter, Margaret (Susan May Pratt of 10 Things I Hate About You) to fend for themselves, which they do admirably. Soon, Sophia has another suitor, a divorced lawyer named Richard Baines (Geordie Johnson). Unlike her mother, Sophia has remained a romantic soul, and she loves Richard, and waits patiently for him to propose to her. Charlie, meanwhile, has an ongoing feud with the alcoholic town doctor, and tries to be a more cerebral influence on Margaret. But when, during World War II, Margaret falls in love with Tom Hawkings (Ken Mitchell), a wounded soldier, Charlie realizes that they're a perfect match. Charms for the Easy Life was adapted by screenwriter Angela Shelton (Tumbleweeds) from a novel by Kaye Gibbons. The film was directed by Joan Micklin Silver (Crossing Delancey) and premiered on Showtime on August 18, 2002. ~ Josh Ralske, Rovi
- Directed By
- Joan Micklin Silver
- Written By
- Angela Shelton
- Genres
- Drama
- In Theaters
- Aug 18, 2002 Wide
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Cast
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Gena Rowlands
as Charlie Kate
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Mimi Rogers
as Sophia
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Susan May Pratt
as Margaret
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Geordie Johnson
as Richard Baines
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Kenneth Mitchell
as Tom Hawkings II
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Wayne Robson
as Doctor
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Kayla Perlmutter
as Margaret (Child)
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Kirsten Kieferle
as Charlie Kate (1909)
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Christine Rottenberg
as Sophia (1909)
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David Macniven
as Sophia's Husband
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Robert Clarke
as Coroner
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Patricia Welbourn
as Pearl
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Stella Sprowell
as Mrs. Baines
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Dwight McFee
as Tom's Father
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Joanne Boland
as Tom's Sister
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Maggie Huculak
as Tom's Mother
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Ron Kennell
as Charlie's Husband