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Tumbleweeds (1999)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 7/10
Reviews Counted: 66
Fresh: 55 | Rotten: 11

Strong performances add authenticity and depth.

Average Rating: 7.1/10
Critic Reviews: 22
Fresh: 19 | Rotten: 3

Strong performances add authenticity and depth.

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Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 1,338

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Movie Info

Gavin O'Connor directed, co-wrote and plays a major supporting role in this drama about a mother and daughter coming to terms with each other's problems. In Tumbleweeds, Janet McTeer plays Mary Jo Walker, a single mother with a long string of bad marriages and a habit of hitting the road when things start to turn sour. Her 12-year-old daughter Ava (Kimberly J. Brown) has learned to live with her Mom's nomadic ways and comfortably slips into the pattern of each new town. At the film's outset,

PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.

Drama, Comedy

Directed By: Gavin O'Connor , Gavin O'Conner

Written By: Gavin O'Connor, Angela Shelton

In Theaters: Nov 24, 1999 Limited

On DVD: Nov 24, 2000

Fine Line Features

Tumbleweeds Trailer & Photos

Cast

Janet McTeer
Mary Jo Walker
Kimberly J. Brown
Ava Walker
Gavin O'Connor
Jack Ranson
Jay O Sanders
Dan Miller
Lois Smith
Ginger
Laurel Holloman
Laurie Pendleton
Michael J. Pollard
Mr. Cummings
Noah Emmerich
Vertis Dewey
Ashley Buccille
Zoe Broussard
Cody McMains
Adam Riley
Curt McRiane
Joel Polis
Sara Downing
Gavin O'Conner

Critic Reviews for Tumbleweeds

All Critics (87) | Top Critics (25) | Fresh (56) | Rotten (12) | DVD (12)

Tumbleweeds is a breath of fresh air that busts the cliches of dysfunctional mother-daughter sagas.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Kevin Maynard

Mr. Showbiz

Top Critic

The film moves with the same breakneck vitality as its star McTeer.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Sacramento Bee

| Comment

Joe Baltake

Sacramento Bee

Top Critic

The authenticity rings as loud and true as a gas station bell.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Peter Howell

Toronto Star

Top Critic

Beyond the leads' accomplishments, the movie isn't exceptional.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Mike Clark

USA Today

Top Critic

Tumbleweeds is one of those wonderful, deeply personal pictures that pop up every now and then to lift your spirits.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times

| Comment

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Top Critic

Touching look at tough mom-daughter relationship.

January 1, 2011 Full Review Source: Common Sense Media

| Comment

Teresa Talerico

Common Sense Media

A keenly observed chronicle of a single mother at the crossroads of self-realization, Gavin O'Connor's debut features a wonderful, Oscar-caliber performance from British Janet McTeer.

January 9, 2007 Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

| Comment

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com Source: EmanuelLevy.Com

A mother-daughter flick that is filled with satisfying surprises and two very fine performances.

March 4, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for Tumbleweeds

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Great movie, and kudos to Kimberly on her role.

November 7, 2006

Leigh Ryan

Super Reviewer

It's been a while since I've seen a good movie, and this proudly stept up to the plate. I was hooked by the second scene. The material is a little familiar, but not quite cliche. The acting is so genuine, fresh, and touching that you can't help but root for these two. There's an eerie undercurrent in the scenes

September 18, 2007