Lifetime, Rosie O'Donnell Look for 'America'

By Rick Porter, Zap2It.com | October 22, 2008

Rosie O'Donnell

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O'Donnell will star in, produce move for the cable channel

Rosie O'Donnell and Lifetime are teaming up for "America," a movie about a boy who gets lost in the foster care system.

O'Donnell will produce the film and star as a therapist who helps the title character, a 16-year-old who has attempted suicide, confront his past, which includes a drug-addicted mother, being shuttled in and out of the foster care system and sexual abuse. The movie, which will also star Oscar nominee Ruby Dee, is scheduled to premiere in February.

"We are truly inspired by Rosie's passion for this project," Lifetime's Tanya Lopez says. "[She] really understands the issue of these kids 'aging out' of the system without any resources to prepare them for life on their own, and this film shines a light on this tragic crisis."

O'Donnell bought the rights to E.R. Frank's young-adult novel in 2002 and has been developing it for several years. She says she hopes that "America" will help "bring the foster care system into the public's consciousness [so] that much needed reform can be made."

In the film, O'Donnell will play Dr. Maureen Brennan, a psychiatrist who helps America come to terms with his past. Dee ("American Gangster," "Do the Right Thing") will play Mrs. Harper, one of the few people who provided stability to America in his life.

Larry Sanitsky ("The Last Don") and O'Donnell will executive produce the film. Joyce Eliason ("Gracie's Choice," "Riding the Bus with My Sister") is writing the script, and Yves Simoneau ("Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee") will direct.