Molly (1999)

14% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
51% of users liked it
(2,014 ratings)

Elisabeth Shue stars in this drama as Molly McKay, a mentally challenged woman who has suffered from autism since childhood. Institutionalized since the age of three, Molly is released at age 28 into the custody of her brother Buck (Aaron Eckhart), whom she hasn't seen since childhood. While Buck… More Elisabeth Shue stars in this drama as Molly McKay, a mentally challenged woman who has suffered from autism since childhood. Institutionalized since the age of three, Molly is released at age 28 into the custody of her brother Buck (Aaron Eckhart), whom she hasn't seen since childhood. While Buck cares for his sister, she is in many ways a stranger to him, and he's having enough problems in his life at the moment. When Buck is told by doctors of a risky experimental surgery that could cure Molly, he gives his consent. The operation is a success, and Molly emerges with the emotional walls of autism removed, revealing her to be a genius. But the autistic personality's intense concentration remains, and Buck finds the new Molly nearly as challenging as the old one. Molly's supporting cast includes D.W. Moffett, Jill Hennessy, and Thomas Jane; it was the first credit for screenwriter Dick Christie. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: John Duigan
Written By: Dick Christie
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 22, 1999 Wide
On DVD: May 15, 2001
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Louis B. Parks, Houston Chronicle
A near-disaster.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Shue comes perilously close to offensive caricature as the afflicted Molly.
Stephen Holden, New York Times
A television drama slapped together in a rush.
Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly
Bizarrely inept.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
It is moving and has been well-crafted with much care, and it allows Shue, Eckhart, Jane and Jill Hennessy as Molly's doctor to make solid impressions.
Philip Wuntch, Dallas Morning News
Molly is a mess.
Fred Topel, About.com
Half-hearted Flowers for Algernon story. None of the actors seem to really believe it.
Francesca Dinglasan, Boxoffice Magazine
In spite of its lofty goal to remind the masses that the disabled are human beings with feelings just like everyone else, Molly abounds with cliches about the very people it purports to represent.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
In a world desperate for any kind of kinship, the ties between brothers and sisters remain an invaluable and often unexplored treasure.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
Shue's acting is atrocious, rivaled only by the idiocy of the story itself.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
89 minutes of Shue's strained Acting display is 89 more than anyone should ever have to endure.
, E! Online
Nothing feels authentic--not the relationships or the earnest performances from the soap opera-pretty cast.
Cornell & Petricelli, CinemaSense.Com
Unfortunately, despite a praise worthy performance by Elisabeth Shue, the movie did not leave us with a lasting impression or emotional connection.
Christabel Padmore, Apollo Guide
Shue's character is supposed to be sweet, but Molly is a shallow and tiresome movie.
Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review
A disjointed, incoherent mess.
Steven Boone, Citysearch
Beautiful as she is, Elisabeth Shue is simply impossible to watch without cringing whenever she tries to do autistic.
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette
Does have some good performances, but it has no heart.