Protraph Lack of good storyline.

Libramedi Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

filippaberry84 I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

Fulke Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

Xarabe I remember hearing about Liz Murray on Oprah back in 2004. I also remember she was the first recipient of Oprah's Chutzpah award and was inspired by her story. Naturally, it was only right of me to be curious about the film made about her life, and since I was not able to see it back then, I decided to fork out the money to buy the actual movie online last year. I'm so glad I did because it truly is one of the most inspirational films I've seen. The film has no pretense about it, it doesn't paint Liz Murray as this big heroine or self-pitying sermonizer, her story just was what it was - she realized her situation and took steps to eventuate to success out of grand resilience. She overcame a great deal of hardship to make it out telling her story to the world. Anecdotes that really convey her situation; about doing her homework on the subway train, juggling twice the amount of course work, trying to deal with her family situation of drug-addicted parents, shoplifting self help books and of course it goes without saying - being homeless.The performances are terrific, especially Thora Birch - off the back of her comedic role in Ghostworld - really shows her range here and her portrayal is determinedly solemn. Also, an honorable mention to the girl who plays young Liz.I'm also glad this story wasn't made into some big Hollywood production - it would have come across too schmaltzy.

TxMike I like this movie. In general, my favorite movies are ones based on true stories, and this is a good story. Liz Murray is a good person born in a bad family. Her mother was always on drugs and booze, her father was an intellectual who detached himself. In an early scene, while mom and the two young daughters are fighting over whether the food money would actually go for food, or for drugs, the father Peter (Michael Riley in a good performance) is watching the TV show 'Jeopardy' and correctly answering all the questions, detaching himself from the argument. Near the end of the movie, when Liz tells her homeless dad, who now has AIDS, that she loves him, he responds, "Don't love me. It is a waste of energy. I'm not a people person." Thora Birch narrates and plays the teenage Liz Murray who, after her mom dies of AIDS, talks herself into a good school, and is encouraged by her teacher David (Robert Bockstael). She works hard, becomes the top student in her school, catches up to do 4 years of school work in two. She gets a NY Times scholarship to attend Harvard. As the ending notes state, she left Harvard in 2003, not yet with a degree, but supports herself with fees she receives from her appearances. So, even without a Harvard degree, hers is an inspirational story, and Thora Birch is remarkably good.The DVD included a 7-minute interview with the real Liz Murray. We only see her answers and comments, and get a good glimpse of this young woman. Of note, she doesn't believe her story is that extra ordinary, that many people set goals and accomplish what they want. Her humility is refreshing. She just wants a normal life.

George Parker "Homeless to Harvard" tells the true story of Liz Murray who went from living with her druggie parents in a Bronx slum and living on the street while dumpster diving for food to earning a degree at Harvard University. This gritty TV flick is narrated by Thora Birch who registers a sterling performance as the wan, slump shouldered, stringy haired teen protag whose mother's death from AIDS set her free to focus her brain power and determination on academic success. Though this film is a worthy testament to the success of Liz Murray it is, in the final analysis, just another rags to(intellectual) riches story. Not that big a deal with an obvious made-for-TV "feel", "Homeless to Harvard" is inspirational fodder for teen females and a worthy watch for Birch fans. (B-)

dollarbillsemail Generally, made for television movies are on a level below theatrical endeavors. However, `Homeless To Harvard' is a surprising and welcome exception. Without question it is one of the best made for television movies ever produced. This true story of Liz Murray continually strikes your primal emotional chord throughout the movie. The story is told in a stark realistically convincing manner. Excellent performances are turned in by Jennifer Pisana and Thora Birch as Liz at slightly different ages and by Kelly Lynch as Liz's alcoholic and drug addicted mother Jean. Unfortunately, the world has an ample supply of dysfunctional parents. Most often, their own children use them as an excuse to be equally dysfunctional. How uplifting to have a child use their parent's dysfunctional behavior, not as an excuse to sink into oblivion, but rather as a reason to not follow in their footsteps. This movie is all about choices. Anyone of any age who watches this movie will be left with absolutely no excuse to wallow in self pity. While this movie is a remarkable endeavor, it could have been even better. Understandably you can only fit so much content into a movie. Moreover, I'm certain that the writers included all of the key elements of Liz's life. However, this movie would have stood in a class by itself if only they had delved into Liz's true character. They did an exceptional job of depicting the decadent life that she was subject to, her reactions to it, and her existence within it. However, you don't get to see inside of Liz to actually know what she's all about. In addition, I sensed that we were shown a slightly whitewashed portrait of Liz in contrast to her true self. I suspect that she was in fact a little less innocent and a little more tarnished and troublesome than she was portrayed to be. If there's one unanswered question lingering on viewer's minds, it has to be: Why, after overcoming such insurmountable adversity, did she end up leaving Harvard? All that aside, 'Homeless To Harvard' is truly a triumph of the human spirit movie. This will be a treasured prize for your DVD/VHS collection when it becomes available.