Miss Lettie and Me (2002 TV Movie) User Reviews

If you open your heart, you can learn something from everybody.

[mark.waltz · 7/10 · 3 April 2017]

Don't expect either sweet Mary Richards or on the other side of the spectrum a Shirley MacLaine like old grouch in this TV movie with Mary Tyler Moore. She's an embittered recluse, running business from an office in her house, and cranky enough, yet hiding a huge heart underneath it all. Moore's big hearted handyman Charles Robinson ("Night Court") takes a fancy to Moore's niece (Holliston Coleman), bringing her into the home of his close knit family where his even bigger huge hearted mother (Irma P. Hall) gives Coleman a piece of family history. It's up to Robinson and Hall to open Moore's heart up to family, an easier task when Moore's old beau (Burt Reynolds) comes back into her life.

Showing that love, wisdom and heart come from places that one might not expect. Coleman learns that people aren't their skin color, but what is in their heart, and Hall's family has more than enough for anybody open up to receiving that love. Coleman shows the open mindedness of a young girl not shown the ugliness of racism, and anybody who has had that education is truly lucky. This is a film with heart, a word I overuse in this review with no regret. Moore plays a character filled more with sadness than she allows herself to reveal, using her cold exterior to hide the tears inside. There are a ton of small moments that will grab your emotions, and it's the complex simpleness of this story that makes this TV movie truly special.

Bring on the Kleenex

[renee_robare · 21 December 2002]

I loved this movie! The actress who played Travis was engaging, and all the other performances were excellent, too. Sure, it was rather predictable, but who cares? It's Christmas, and everyone needs a good family story now and then.

A movie only a plastic surgeon could love.

[DamienWasHere · 2/10 · 19 December 2005]

In the future, any closeup of Burt Reynolds should come with a disclaimer or at least a warning from Vincent Price. This fact is made especially more frightful in this film because Burt's character has no reason to exist in this story. I mean...why frighten children for no reason?

Ugh, what am I doing home on a Monday afternoon watching this horror show on Lifetime TV? Between Mary Tyler Moore and Burt Reynolds, this movie had me in stitches -- too bad most of them were behind Mary and Burt's ears and eyelids.

This movie was made for simpletons and first year plastic surgery residents. I'm sorry but it's just terrible. The story is contrived, the acting is dull and the payoff is predictable. I even sensed a little racism in that the African American characters who figure largely in the script, seem to be wrought from a 1930s movie. I mean, it's nice that they make Charles Robinson and Irma Hall wiser than the white folk but they're still depicted as "help" -- geez!

The only thing nice I can say about this movie is that the lamb is cute.

damien

Sweet little film

[imdbfan30 · 8/10 · 9 December 2002]

A feel good film that won't win any awards but will leave you 'feeling good.' It was very predictable (as expected), but not boring by any means. There was just the right touch of sentiment, you ended up caring about the characters and happy that it ended just the way you thought it would.

Holliston Coleman was delightful as the little girl. The rest of the cast also held their own in their respective roles.

I absolutely loved the house which I have read was the Brookfield Plantation in Griffin, GA. A beautiful old mansion and a quiet and charming town, just like you picture a small town in the south to be.

All in all worth a viewing, especially around the holidays.

Beautiful and Touching Holiday Fare

[tymflyer · 10/10 · 12 December 2002]

You'd have to be an unreformed grinch not to be touched by this glowing story of a torn family rediscovering life and love. The story revolves around "Me", played with beautiful subtlety by 10 year old Holliston Coleman. Holliston endows the story with life, playing joy, pain, anger, and love with equal force. I don't think there is any other child actor out there who is as natural or whose face can change so subtly to reveal her thoughts within. I'll never forget the look on Holliston's face when Miss Lettie pulls out the ugly dress she wants her to wear to school -- not overdone, but her polite horror is completely transparent and really funny. Later, on the road, she's equally transparent and utterly moving as she explains the loneliness of being without a father. Holliston is on screen almost full-time for the entire 2 hours; I'm not really sure how a 10 year old pulled that off -- it must have been quite a challenge.

Mary Tyler Moore has trouble playing the mean old lady, but brings humor to what might otherwise have been a tedious role, and love-interest Burt Reynolds connects well with her. Charlie Robinson is utterly real: his "wisest of the wise men" role is convincing and gentle, and he and his mother Irma P. Hall do a great job providing the loving moral guidance to the story. The cinematography captures beautifully the sun-drenched countryside and elegant house.

All in all, this film is a much-needed re-telling of the ultimate importance of family and friends, love and commitment. I'd recommend it to all who need a shot-in-the-arm this holiday season. I hope it comes back to TV for many years to come.

This TV movie is very entertaining. Very enjoyable never dull.

[mthusberg · 10/10 · 28 December 2002]

I watched this movie 3 times while I was spending my holiday in Dallas Texas. The story is great and the acting is superb. The girl Travis is a very caring girl and is quite obvious being raised without luxuries but with much love. Her non-stop chatter is so entertaining. Every word she said is very interesting. Mary Tyler Moore, the aunt, has that proud attitude but quite a soft heart. And the helper, was it Morgan Freeman?, he is just so good. He is always a veteran actor and very competent whatever role you give him.

Rots your teeth...boring too

[jaxla · 28 September 2003]

Mary Tyler Moore can still turn the world on with her smile, but she rarely gets to do so in this grim, tedious family film that harkens back to the days of such solemn treacle as "Mrs. Wiggs Cabbage Patch." The script is ponderous, loaded with cliched dialogue and moves things along at a snail's pace. There's an awful little girl "actress" that makes you want to reach for the curtain swag to strangle her with. Then Burt Reynolds shows up with yet another face lift and that pancake toup of his; he's beginning to look like an alien. Mary and Burt in an old fashioned TV movie sounded like a good deal, but I've had better times at the dentist than I did with this stinker. Beware