All-American Girl: The Mary Kay Letourneau Story
All-American Girl: The Mary Kay Letourneau Story is a 2000 American television drama film directed by Lloyd Kramer which aired on January 18, 2000 on the USA Network.
Plot
The film is based on the true story of school teacher Mary Kay Letourneau who had a sexual relationship with a 6th grade boy named Vili Fualaau.
Cast
- Penelope Ann Miller as Mary Kay Letourneau
- Omar Anguiano as Vili Fualaau
- Mercedes Ruehl as Jane Newhall
- Rena Owen as Soona Fualaau
- Greg Spottiswood as Steve Letourneau
- Christopher Bondy as John Schmitz
- Janet-Laine Green as Mrs. Schmitz
- Gary Hudson as Charles Dunphy
Production
Filming for “”All-American Girl: The Mary Kay Letourneau” took place from August of 1999 to September of 1999 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Soona Fualaau (the mother of Vili Fualaau) requested that the producers cast New Zealand actress Rena Owens to portray her in the film after seeing her performance in the 1994 film, “Once We Were Warriors.”
Broadcast
“All-American Girl: The Mary Kay Letourneau” was broadcast on the USA Network on January 18, 2000 and was followed with a special entitled “Letourneau: Live” which featured interviews with Mary Kay Letourneau and others involved with the scenario.
Critical Reception
Reception for “All-American Girl: The Mary Kay Letourneau Story” was mixed.
Charleston Daily Mail praised the film, writing: “More than just a tawdry detour into the Jerry Springer/Ricki Lake cesspool of shock value, this film presents a sympathetic look at a confused woman who still contends that Vili is her destined soulmate, the love of her life.”
The Los Angeles Daily News was more mixed in their review, praising the filmmakers for putting “a little care and thought into their production” and that it did not “waste one’s time or aggressively insult one’s intelligence” while also stating that the film was “ultimately unsatisfying” and did not “provide much insight into the case.”
Variety panned the film overall, writing: “USA Network’s “The Mary Kay Letourneau Story: All-American Girl” wastes a good opportunity to shed light on some really screwed up people. Despite Penelope Ann Miller’s eerie resemblance to Seattle’s infamous seductress, this factual telepic about the world’s most “giving” teacher offers little insight and is buried underneath overblown production values.”
