The Great Gilly Hopkins (2015)
Synopsis:
Young Gilly Hopkins is a spirited and rebellious girl who finds herself placed in yet another foster home, this time with the kind-hearted Maime Trotter. Determined to reunite with her birth mother Courtney, Gilly devises a plan to escape her new living situation. However, as she spends time with Maime, her elderly neighbor Mr. Randolph, and others in her new community, Gilly begins to discover what family truly means. This heartwarming story follows her journey as she navigates the challenges of foster care while learning that love and belonging can be found in unexpected places. With the help of those around her, including her teacher Miss Harris, Gilly must decide whether to continue chasing a distant dream or embrace the genuine connections forming right in front of her.
Where To Watch: The Great Gilly Hopkins
Parental Feedback
The Great Gilly Hopkins offers a heartfelt and emotionally layered exploration of foster care, family bonds, and belonging that balances moments of humor with genuine emotional depth. Parents should expect a moderately paced drama that tackles themes of abandonment, trust, and acceptance through the eyes of a defiant young girl navigating the foster system. The tone shifts between lighthearted interactions and more poignant scenes that may prompt meaningful family conversations about love, loyalty, and what truly defines a family.
Why Kids Should Watch The Great Gilly Hopkins
This story provides valuable opportunities for children to develop empathy and understanding about different family structures and life experiences.
The film features a strong, complex young female protagonist who demonstrates resilience and independence, offering viewers a character who faces challenges head-on even when making mistakes along the way.
Sophie Nélisse delivers a compelling performance alongside an exceptional cast including Kathy Bates, Glenn Close, and Octavia Spencer, providing young audiences with quality storytelling and authentic emotional moments.
The narrative explores important themes about finding family in unexpected places and learning that love comes in many forms, teaching children that home is defined by care and connection rather than biology alone.
The film balances its serious subject matter with genuine warmth and occasional humor, making difficult topics accessible without overwhelming younger viewers with heavy-handed messaging.
Why Kids Shouldn't Watch The Great Gilly Hopkins
Parents may want to consider several aspects of the content before viewing with younger or more sensitive children.
The central theme of a child being separated from her birth mother and moving through foster care may be emotionally challenging for some children, particularly those who have experienced similar situations or have anxiety about family separation.
Gilly's defiant behavior and schemes to run away, while ultimately part of her character growth, might require parental guidance to help younger viewers understand why her actions aren't appropriate to imitate.
The emotional intensity of certain scenes dealing with rejection, disappointment, and the protagonist's struggle to accept love may be confusing or upsetting for children who aren't yet ready to process complex feelings about family dynamics.
Verdict: Parent Approved
The Great Gilly Hopkins earns approval as a thoughtful family drama that handles sensitive topics with care while delivering meaningful messages about acceptance, love, and the true meaning of family.
What Parents Should Know About The Great Gilly Hopkins
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does this Movie model positive behavior that my child can understand and repeat? | While the protagonist initially displays defiant behavior, the story ultimately models growth, acceptance, and the importance of opening one's heart to others. |
| Does this Movie include emotional moments my child might find confusing or intense? | Yes, scenes involving abandonment, disappointment with her birth mother, and Gilly's emotional struggles may be intense for sensitive or younger children. |
| Does this Movie show consequences for unkind or unsafe behavior? | The film demonstrates that Gilly's schemes and defensive behavior create obstacles to her own happiness and hurt those trying to care for her. |
| Does this Movie reinforce helpful social skills like sharing, apologizing, or teamwork? | The story emphasizes learning to trust others, accepting help, and recognizing the value of the people who genuinely care for you. |
| Will my child come away with any clear moral or message? | Children will learn that family is defined by love and care rather than biology, and that opening your heart to others can lead to genuine belonging. |
The Overall Sentiment From Parental Feedback
Parents generally appreciate The Great Gilly Hopkins for its honest portrayal of foster care and its emphasis on finding family through love rather than blood relations. Many families find it serves as an excellent conversation starter about empathy, acceptance, and understanding different life circumstances. While some parents note that the emotional content may be heavy for younger children, most agree that the film's ultimate message about belonging and the transformative power of unconditional love makes it worthwhile viewing for families with children mature enough to handle the subject matter. The strong performances and genuine warmth displayed by the foster family characters resonate with viewers seeking quality family-oriented content.
Official The Great Gilly Hopkins Trailer
Why Kids Love The Great Gilly Hopkins
Gilly Hopkins is a master schemer who cooks up wild plans to escape her foster home and track down her birth mother. Kids love watching her clever tricks unfold as she tries to outsmart the adults around her, from sneaky phone calls to bold getaway attempts that never quite go as planned.
The awkward chaos really kicks in when Gilly lands at Maime Trotter's house and has to navigate life with quirky housemate Mr. Randolph and sweet Agnes. Every dinner, every school day becomes a minefield of uncomfortable moments where Gilly's sharp tongue and stubborn attitude crash into her new world, creating hilarious friction that keeps things unpredictable.
Gilly's unique way of doing things means she tackles problems head-on, whether she's standing up to bullies or proving she's tougher than anyone expects. Her fierce independence drives the action as she refuses to follow the rules, constantly stirring up trouble while trying to fix situations on her own terms.
The real fun comes from watching this scrappy problem-solver slowly discover her people in the most unexpected places. Gilly's schemes and escapes keep the energy high, making every scene crackle with the tension of what she'll try next.