Nisha Rathode (Editor) I love writing and learning new things in order to better educate those in need. I also enjoy hackathons and adventures around the world.
GenreComedy, Crime, Drama Music directorMarco Beltrami CountryUnited States
Release dateDecember 17, 1999 (1999-12-17) Based onWalking Across Egypt
by Clyde Edgerton WriterClyde Edgerton (novel), Paul Tamasy (screenplay) CastJonathan Taylor Thomas (Wesley Benfield), Mark Hamill (Lamar N. Benfield), Judge Reinhold (Robert Rigsbee), Ellen Burstyn (Mattie Rigsbee) Similar moviesEllen Burstyn appears in Walking Across Egypt and Playing by Heart
Walking Across Egypt is a 1999 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film directed by veteran director Arthur Allan Seidelman and written by Paul Tamasy, based on Clyde Edgerton's novel of the same name. Walking Across Egypt represents one of the more significant independent films produced in the Florida film industry in recent times.
The film follows the life of Mattie Rigsbee (Ellen Burstyn), an elderly woman who believes in strong religious convictions. The film explores the lonely qualities of life for senior citizens after their children leave as adults. Judge Reinhold and Gail O'Grady play Mattie's children who live in a deep southern town.
Mattie soon finds a likable friend in the local dogcatcher, Lamar Benfield (Mark Hamill). It is through this relationship in which she meets the dogcatcher's nephew, a troubled, foul-mouthed, orphaned juvenile delinquent, Wesley (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), currently serving time in juvenile detention for a recent car theft. Mattie finds that this young man is just missing direction and believes that with a little insight on Christianity he can straighten up and fly right.
Cast
Ellen Burstyn as Mattie Rigsbee
Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Wesley Benfield
Mark Hamill as Lamar N. Benfield
Pat Corley as Sheriff Tillman
Edward Herrmann as Reverend Vernon
Dana Ivey as Beatrice Vernon
Harve Presnell as Finner
Gwen Verdon as Alora
Gail O'Grady as Elaine Rigsbee
Judge Reinhold as Robert Rigsbee
Production
Walking Across Egypt was filmed in the Florida cities of: Ocoee (including the Ocoee Christian Church), Clermont, Windermere, Orlando, and St. Cloud.
Reception
77% of the audience liked the film on Rotten Tomatoes.