A Preview: Charlotte's Web Returns to the Big Screen
By Leroy Douresseaux
December 15, 2006 - 08:07
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CHARLOTTE'S WEB
PARAMOUNT PICTURES and WALDEN MEDIA Present
A Kerner Entertainment Company/Nickelodeon Movies Production
DIRECTOR: Gary Winick
WRITERS: Susannah Grant and Karey Kirkpatrick (based upon the novel by E.B. White)
PRODUCER: Jordan Kerner
Starring: (voices) Julia Roberts, Dominic Scott Kay, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Cedric the Entertainer, Kathy Bates, Reba McEntire, Robert Redford, Thomas Haden Church, and André Benjamin. (live action) Dakota Fanning, Kevin Anderson, and Sam Shepard (narrator)
Opening date: Friday, December 15, 2006
Rating: MPAA - G
Running time: 97 minutes
In Charlotte's Web, a very small pig finds that the most powerful force in the world is the bond of friendship. The film is based upon the book Charlotte's Web, written by award-winning author E.B. White and illustrated by Garth Williams. Published by HarperCollins, this beloved children's book has to date sold 45 million copies worldwide and has been translated into over 20 languages.
White's magical story comes to life in a live-action adaptation (Remember the 1973 animated film version?). After young Fern Arable (Dakota Fanning) rescues Wilber the pig (Dominic Scott Kay), who is almost sacrificed as the runt of the litter, he becomes the newest addition to the barnyard. Wilbur has a youthful manner that makes him seem naïve to the other animals in his barn, but to Charlotte (Julia Roberts), the spider who lives in the rafters, he holds the possibility of being a friend. Their developing friendship is shown to be a lasting one when the other animals reveal that the pig's days are numbered. It seems that only a miracle will save Wilbur's life, but a determined Charlotte spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer, Mr. Arable (Kevin Anderson), that Wilbur is "some pig" worth saving.
Visit the film site at CharlottesWebMovie.com
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