Zelly and Me
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| Zelly and Me | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | Tina Rathborne |
| Written by | Tina Rathborne |
| Produced by | Tina Rathborne |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Mikael Salomon |
| Edited by | Cindy Kaplan Rooney |
| Music by | Pino Donaggio |
| Distributed by | Columbia Pictures |
Release date |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Budget | $1.5 million[1] |
Zelly and Me is a 1988 American drama film written, directed and produced by Tina Rathborne and starring Isabella Rossellini, Glynis Johns and Alexandra Johnes. Filmmaker David Lynch features in a minor role.
Released on April 15, 1988, Zelly and Me has received mixed reviews, citing its unsteady tone and a narrative which one reviewer felt would be more suited to a novel than a film.
After her parents' death in an airplane crash, Phoebe is raised by her wealthy but narcissist grandmother Co-Co and a nanny, Zelly. Co-Co and Zelly find themselves competing for the child's affections, leading to Phoebe growing isolated when Co-Co jealously fires all of her staff and even emotionally abuses Phoebe. In the end after Co-Co fires Zelly, Phoebe finally puts her foot down and stands up for herself and calls her out on her abusive behavior. The film ends with Phoebe heading back to school after the summer ends while Co-Co looks on in melancholy realizing she no longer has any mental control over her granddaughter.
Cast
- Alexandra Johnes as Phoebe
- Glynis Johns as Co-Co
- Isabella Rossellini as Zelly
- Kaiulani Lee as Nora
- David Lynch as Willie
- Joe Morton as Earl
Production
Zelly and Me was the first film by writer and director Tina Rathborne.[2] The film was greenlit by David Puttnam during his tenure as head of Columbia Pictures, and was based on Rathborne's own childhood.[3] Rathborne cast Rossellini's real-life partner David Lynch in a small role in the film, as Rossellini's character's lover.[4] As a result, Lynch would later offer Rathborne the opportunity to direct for his 1990 television series Twin Peaks.[4] Lynch agreed to take part in the film at Rossellini's behest, in order to overcome his fear of acting.[5]