Alabama Moon
Encyclopedia
Alabama Moon is a 2010 film starring Jimmy Bennett
and John Goodman
, based on the book Alabama Moon
by Watt Key
. The story takes place in the forests of Alabama
.
) has spent most of his life hiding out in the forests of Alabama with his father, an anti-government radical who clings to conspiracy theories and trusts no one. Moon’s life suddenly changes when the land is sold to a lawyer and his father dies. He has never known any truth but his Pap’s and so he tries to follow his last instructions; make your way to Alaska where "people could still make a living off trapping." Moon quickly finds himself in the path of civilization, when lawyer Mr. Wellington (John Goodman
) discovers him on his land. Thinking he is doing what is best for the boy, he calls the local authorities. Moon bolts fearing the very thing he has been hiding from his entire life. Unfortunately, he is captured by the mean-spirited Constable Sanders (Clint Howard
), who takes him to a boy’s reform school to become property of the State. Here Moon meets other boys his age and learns what friendship is all about. However, Moon is determined on getting to Alaska and escapes from the school bringing two of his friends Kit (Uriah Shelton
) and Hal (Gabriel Basso
) back to the forest to live with him. Moon uses his wilderness survival skills to outwit Constable Sanders and provide food and shelter for him and his friends. Moon writes smoke letters to his Pap, letting him know he is ok. However, Moon begins to question his father's beliefs when Hal leaves and Kit gets gravely ill and is in need of medical attention. As Moon encounters other lifestyles, true friends and true enemies, he adapts and learns to survive in the outside world, and even, perhaps, make his home there.
Jimmy Bennett
James Michael "Jimmy" Bennett is an American actor and musician. He is known for his roles as a child actor in Daddy Day Care, Hostage, Poseidon, and more recently in Orphan and as young James T. Kirk in Star Trek...
and John Goodman
John Goodman
John Stephen Goodman is an American film, television, and stage actor. He is best known for his role as Dan Conner on the television series Roseanne for which he won a Best Actor Golden Globe Award in 1993, and for appearances in the films of the Coen brothers, with prominent roles in Raising...
, based on the book Alabama Moon
Alabama Moon (novel)
Alabama Moon is a 2006 novel by Watt Key. The story follows the adventures of Alabama native Moon Blake.The novel was originally published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in 2006....
by Watt Key
Watt Key
Albert Watkins Key, Jr., publishing under the name Watt Key, is an award-winning southern fiction author. A resident of Alabama, his debut novel Alabama Moon was published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux in 2006 and was the 2007 winner of the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award for older readers. It received...
. The story takes place in the forests of Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
.
Plot
The story takes place in 1980 where eleven-year-old Moon Blake (Jimmy BennettJimmy Bennett
James Michael "Jimmy" Bennett is an American actor and musician. He is known for his roles as a child actor in Daddy Day Care, Hostage, Poseidon, and more recently in Orphan and as young James T. Kirk in Star Trek...
) has spent most of his life hiding out in the forests of Alabama with his father, an anti-government radical who clings to conspiracy theories and trusts no one. Moon’s life suddenly changes when the land is sold to a lawyer and his father dies. He has never known any truth but his Pap’s and so he tries to follow his last instructions; make your way to Alaska where "people could still make a living off trapping." Moon quickly finds himself in the path of civilization, when lawyer Mr. Wellington (John Goodman
John Goodman
John Stephen Goodman is an American film, television, and stage actor. He is best known for his role as Dan Conner on the television series Roseanne for which he won a Best Actor Golden Globe Award in 1993, and for appearances in the films of the Coen brothers, with prominent roles in Raising...
) discovers him on his land. Thinking he is doing what is best for the boy, he calls the local authorities. Moon bolts fearing the very thing he has been hiding from his entire life. Unfortunately, he is captured by the mean-spirited Constable Sanders (Clint Howard
Clint Howard
Clinton "Clint" Howard is an American film and television actor. He is a character actor with numerous brief appearances on television and films. He has played many bit parts in movies directed by his brother, actor-turned-director Ron Howard. He is also the uncle of actress Bryce Dallas Howard...
), who takes him to a boy’s reform school to become property of the State. Here Moon meets other boys his age and learns what friendship is all about. However, Moon is determined on getting to Alaska and escapes from the school bringing two of his friends Kit (Uriah Shelton
Uriah Shelton
Uriah Shelton is an American teen actor and singer. He is the son of accountant Allen Shelton and house-wife Cindy Shelton. His name means "God is light" in Hebrew. Shelton was born in Dallas, Texas but spent spent most of his childhood in Magnolia Springs, Alabama with both of his parents. ...
) and Hal (Gabriel Basso
Gabriel Basso
Gabriel Basso is an American film and television actor who has been active since 2007.-Life and career:Basso was born in St. Louis, Missouri and moved with his mother, Marcie, and sisters, to Los Angeles in 2008. He booked minor roles in two feature films in early 2007 in St...
) back to the forest to live with him. Moon uses his wilderness survival skills to outwit Constable Sanders and provide food and shelter for him and his friends. Moon writes smoke letters to his Pap, letting him know he is ok. However, Moon begins to question his father's beliefs when Hal leaves and Kit gets gravely ill and is in need of medical attention. As Moon encounters other lifestyles, true friends and true enemies, he adapts and learns to survive in the outside world, and even, perhaps, make his home there.
Cast
- Jimmy BennettJimmy BennettJames Michael "Jimmy" Bennett is an American actor and musician. He is known for his roles as a child actor in Daddy Day Care, Hostage, Poseidon, and more recently in Orphan and as young James T. Kirk in Star Trek...
as Moon Blake - John GoodmanJohn GoodmanJohn Stephen Goodman is an American film, television, and stage actor. He is best known for his role as Dan Conner on the television series Roseanne for which he won a Best Actor Golden Globe Award in 1993, and for appearances in the films of the Coen brothers, with prominent roles in Raising...
as Mr. Wellington - Uriah SheltonUriah SheltonUriah Shelton is an American teen actor and singer. He is the son of accountant Allen Shelton and house-wife Cindy Shelton. His name means "God is light" in Hebrew. Shelton was born in Dallas, Texas but spent spent most of his childhood in Magnolia Springs, Alabama with both of his parents. ...
as Kit - Gabriel BassoGabriel BassoGabriel Basso is an American film and television actor who has been active since 2007.-Life and career:Basso was born in St. Louis, Missouri and moved with his mother, Marcie, and sisters, to Los Angeles in 2008. He booked minor roles in two feature films in early 2007 in St...
as Hal Mitchell - Clint HowardClint HowardClinton "Clint" Howard is an American film and television actor. He is a character actor with numerous brief appearances on television and films. He has played many bit parts in movies directed by his brother, actor-turned-director Ron Howard. He is also the uncle of actress Bryce Dallas Howard...
as Constable Sanders - J.D. Evermore as Oliver Blake
- Elizabeth Jackson as Rachael Gene
- Mark Adam Miller as Mike Blake
- Billy UngerBilly UngerWilliam Brent "Billy" Unger is an American teen actor credited as Billy Unger. Unger as a child actor appeared in high-attention films such as National Treasure: Book of Secrets , Cop Dog , Opposite Day , You Again and will appear as the title character Billy Stone in The Lost Medallion: The...
as Additional voices