AUDREY’S CHILDREN

(director: Ami Canaan Mann; screenwriter: Julia Fisher Farbman; cinematographer: Jon Keng; editor: Matthew Ramsey; music: Genevieve Vincent; cast: Natalie Dormer (Audrey), Jimmi Simpson (Dr. Dan D’Angio), Clancy Brown (Dr. C. Everett Koop), Brandon Michael Hall (Dr. Brian Faust), Evelyn Clovine (Kate Watson), Jeff Panzarella (Dr. Laurie Naiman), J.P. Edwards (Alvin McAlister), Kat Murphy (Rita McAlister), Julianna Layne (Mia McAlister), Ben Chase (Dr. Jeremy Lewis); Runtime: 110; MPAA Rating: PG; producers: Bradley Gallo, Michael A. Hellant, Julia Fisher Farbman; Amasia Entertainment/Blue Harbor Entertainment; 2025)

Inspirational but shallow biopic.

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Brit director Ami Canaan Mann (“Jackie & Ryan”/”Texas Killing Fields”) helms this inspirational but shallow biopic on the visionary, risk-taking, unconventional and brilliant British physician Dr. Audrey Evans (Natalie Dormer). She died in 2022, at the age of 97, after serving the medical community for over 50 years.

It’s scripted by Julia Fisher Farbman, and begins in 1969 as it explores the life of the eccentric single woman. She dedicated her whole adult life to medicine (favoring the treatment of children).

In 1969 Audrey became the first female Chief of Oncology at the esteemed Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (known as CHOP). She had an on-going battle with her conformist peers. But she fought back against their intransigence and teamed with the top-notch radiation oncologist and leading cancer researcher at the hospital, Dr. Dan D’Angio (Jimmi Simpson). With his assistance and the help from her resident Dr. Faust (Brandon Michael Hall), she became recognized for developing the first Neuroblastoma Staging System. She would later go on to co-found the first Ronald McDonald House for families of patients. Her lifetime work made a big difference on the lives of many families around the world.

I wish it was better made and more thought-provoking.

Natalie Dormer’s moving performance is enough of a reason to see the film.

It played at the Tribeca Film Festival.



REVIEWED ON 5/19/2025  GRADE: B-
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