Drama
United States of America
Miss Virginia is a 2019 drama film inspired by a true story. The story follows a struggling mother, Virginia Walden Ford, who lives in the inner-city of Washington D.C. Virginia is a single mother who is determined to give her son, James, the best education she can despite the challenges of living in a poor neighborhood. However, when her son is assaulted at his local school, Virginia refuses to let him continue attending the dangerous and failing school.
In search of a better education for her son, Virginia decides to enroll him in a private school through a scholarship program. However, she soon learns that the scholarship program is under threat of being terminated, leaving James and other children like him at risk of having to return to dangerous and failing schools.
Determined to fight for her son’s future, Virginia takes on the government and launches a grassroots movement to save the scholarship program. She becomes a community organizer, rallying parents and students to join her cause, and gains national attention for her efforts to improve education for children in impoverished neighborhoods.
As Virginia’s fight gains traction, she faces personal and professional challenges, including censorship and threats of violence. But she remains undeterred in her quest to ensure that every child has access to a quality education.
The film features an impressive cast including Uzo Aduba as Virginia Walden Ford, Matthew Modine as Congressman Clifford Williams, and Aunjanue Ellis as Principal Donna Porter. The director, R. J. Daniel Hanna, manages to capture Virginia’s story in a powerful and moving way, highlighting the importance of a quality education and the struggle that many families face in obtaining it.
Overall, Miss Virginia is an inspiring and thought-provoking film that not only tells a compelling story but also sheds light on an important social issue.
