An American Daughter (film)

Please do not use {{Infobox television film}} directly. See the documentation for available templates. An American Daughter is a 2000 Lifetime Television film directed by Sheldon Larry. The teleplay was written by Wendy Wasserstein, based on one of her plays.

Plot

Dr. Lyssa Dent Hughes (Lahti) is a Senator's daughter. She appears to be headed for the nomination as the US Surgeon General, until a background check reveals she once neglected to return a jury-duty notice. Then she makes a mistake in comments about her homemaker mother that leaves her open to a media blitz and her sure-fire nomination suddenly appears shaky.

Principal cast

Source: New York Times

• Christine Lahti as Lyssa Dent Hughes
• Tom Skerritt as Walter
• Jay Thomas as Timber Tucker
• Mark Feuerstein as Morrow McCarthy
• Lynn Thigpen Dr. Judith Kaufman
• Stanley Anderson as Sen. Alan Hughes
• Blake Lindsley as Quincy Quince
• Scott Michael Campbell as Billy
• Matt Weinberg as Nicholas
• Will Rothhaar as Kip

Production

The made-for-TV film was broadcast on the Lifetime network in June 2000.

Critical response

The Variety reviewer noted that the "screenplay is much more than an exploration into the mutual adulation of and animosity toward powerful women. It’s also a provocative look at the complex issues that converge when the definition of roles, be they gender or political, are called into question."

Awards and nominations

Golden Globe Awards

• Best Actress - Miniseries or Television Film (Lahti, nominated)

External links

• Internet Movie database listing