Little Pink House

Little Pink House is an American dramatic biopic directed by Courtney Balaker and released in 2017. The film stars Catherine Keener, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and April Telek, with a powerful performance from the entire cast that heartrendingly humanizes a complex and contentious issue.

The film tells the true-life story of Susette Kelo, indomitably performed by Catherine Keener. Susette is a lower-middle-class paramedic who is swept up in a whirlwind of political and corporate machinations when she purchases a small, dilapidated cottage in New London, Connecticut. Right from the beginning, Kelo's love for her little pink house is evident. She pours her heart and soul into the property, breathing new life into it, making it not just a house, but a cherished home.

Susette's largely peaceful life, however, soon turns tumultuous when news spreads that the powerful pharmaceutical company Pfizer is interested in developing the area. It's a classic story of the little man versus corporate greed, delivered with a biting realism. Jeanne Tripplehorn plays Charlotte Wells, the town's driven and unyielding economic developer, who firmly believes that the ends justify the means, putting her in direct opposition to Susette.

In their unyielding pursuit of economic growth, the city decides to use eminent domain to forcefully take over Susette's beloved pink house, as well as several other homes in the neighborhood, intending to hand the land over to Pfizer for new development. Susette doggedly refuses to give up her home without a fight, becoming the unexpected figurehead of a community battling against seemingly insurmountable odds. April Telek gives a moving performance as one of the residents whose life gets caught in the upheaval.

Courtenay Balaker, the director of Little Pink House, draws out the human stories within this political narrative with a delicate hand. Despite the film dealing with significant and complex issues - eminent domain, the power of corporations, and the rights of disadvantaged and marginalized citizens - Balaker never lets these individual struggles get lost in the bigger picture. She captures the strain and tension of the situation, offering an intimate look at what it means to stand your ground in an increasingly impersonal world.

The screenplay is based on the book "Little Pink House: A True Story of Defiance and Courage" by Jeff Benedict, recounting the real-life court case of Kelo vs. The City Of New London. The case, which escalated all the way up to the Supreme Court, became a significant and infamous landmark in US property rights law. While the film shies away from heavily dramatized courtroom sequences, it still manages to capture the legal complexities and moral dilemmas associated with the issue.

Keener's portrayal of Kelo is genuine and profound in its simplicity. She imbues her role not just with an immense amount of resilience and determination, but also with an innate kindness that makes her character both relatable and empathetic. Tripplehorn as the nemeses provides a strong counterpoint, her character flawed but driven by a genuine belief in their cause. Telek, as a supportive neighbor and friend to Susette, offers a touching portrayal of community spirit in the face of adversity.

The cinematography of Little Pink House highlights the lived-in, working-class texture of the New London neighborhood in contrast to the shiny sterile proposed designs of the Pfizer buildings. This visual dichotomy fortifies the theme of a grassroots community that is up against the faceless behemoth of corporate America.

Despite Little Pink House being a political drama, its emotional core is firmly grounded in humanity. The narrative focuses as much on the strength of the community as it does on the struggle, resonating a message that transcends politics. It is a story about home, about belonging, and the lengths one will go to protect what is theirs. This makes it not just a riveting courtroom drama but also a deeply felt human story.

In conclusion, Little Pink House is a compelling film that offers a cutting commentary on socio-economic issues while narrating a deeply personal tale of resilience, courage, community, and the idea of home. It's a film that's bound to provoke thought, inspire conversations, and pull at your heartstrings.