Manny & Lo Movie Review

Amanda/Manny, 11 (Scarlett Johansson), and Laurel/Lo, 16 (Aleksa Palladino), are sisters, but they were adopted by different parents. They run away together, but Lo finds out she's expecting a baby, so they kidnap Elaine (Mary Kay Place), who works in a baby store. What's Elaine's story? They don't know, but Lo knows she needs help, so Manny, Lo, and Elaine are off to the woods until the baby comes. This offbeat first feature written and directed by Lisa Krueger is filled with warmth, charm, and good acting by the kids. And wonderful Mary Kay Place is an absolute treasure as Elaine.

1996 (R) 90m/C Mary Kay Place, Scarlett Johansson, Aleksa Palladino, Paul Guilfoyle, Glenn Fitzgerald, Cameron Boyd, Novella Nelson, Angie Phillips; D: Lisa Krueger; W: Lisa Krueger; C: Tom Krueger; M: John Lurie. Nominations: Independent Spirit Awards ‘97: Best Actress (Johansson), Best First Feature, Best Supporting Actress (Place). VHS, LV, Closed Caption