A Painted House is a 2003 made-for-television drama film directed by Alfonso Arau and based on the bestselling novel of the same name written by John Grisham. The story is set in rural Arkansas during the early 1950s at the height of the cotton-picking season.
Luke Chandler is a 10-year-old boy who works alongside his parents and the migrant workers they hire to work their cotton farm. The family struggles to make ends meet and the harsh work takes a toll on everyone, including Luke, who dreams of a better life. Along the way, Luke learns about the harsh realities of life as he navigates his turbulent personal life and the uncertain future of the farm.
Luke's family, including his grandfather and mother, are deeply religious, and attend church services every Sunday, where they pray for rain. However, tragedy strikes when a young girl is sexually assaulted and murdered in the nearby town. The incident shakes the family and the community, and Luke discovers the darker aspects of humanity.
As the cotton season progresses, the weather turns against them, and the crop is threatened by flooding. Luke's father and the migrant workers work tirelessly to protect the crops and get them picked before it's too late. Throughout the film, Luke struggles with his identity and place in the world, but ultimately comes to learn the importance of family, community, and hard work.
A Painted House was praised for its authentic portrayal of rural life in the 1950s and its insightful commentary on the harsh realities of life in rural America. The film stars Scott Glenn as Luke's grandfather, Robert Sean Leonard as Luke's father, and Logan Lerman as young Luke Chandler.