Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge

Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge
GenreBiography
Drama
Music
Written byRama Laurie Stagner
Directed byBobby Roth
StarringKathleen York
Viveka Davis
Bruce Greenwood
Elisabeth Moss
Music byJ.A.C. Redford
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersJon Avnet
Naomi Judd
Jordan Kerner
ProducerSalli Newman
CinematographyShelly Johnson
EditorHenk Van Eeghen
Running time188 minutes
Production companyThe Avnet/Kerner Company
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseMay 14 (1995-05-14) –
May 15, 1995 (1995-05-15)

Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge is a 1995 American made-for-television biographical film about the mother-daughter country music duo The Judds, directed by Bobby Roth. It was originally broadcast in two parts by NBC on May 14–15, 1995.

Plot

Kathleen York stars as Naomi Judd (then known as Diana Judd) a single mother of two daughters, who turned to music as way to help positively influence her increasingly belligerent and rebellious eldest daughter Wynonna, (then known as Christina). The movie chronicles Naomi's struggle to provide for her daughters (the youngest of whom grew up to become actress Ashley Judd, who narrates the film), the singing duo's rise from Nashville fame to national celebrity, the ups and downs that accompanied a working family relationship, and Naomi's eventual retirement from the music business. The movie was based on Naomi's autobiography Love Can Build A Bridge.

Reception

Variety described this production as "above average for the genre, with a lot of good music in addition to the expected hard times and heartaches."[1] Entertainment Weekly called it "mostly misguided" but nevertheless thought that "the stars fit the bill to perfection" and gave particular credit to the work of casting executive Molly Lopata.[2] Joyce Millman of the San Francisco Examiner praised the "surprisingly perceptive and hugely entertaining NBC miniseries" and its lead performers' "fearless, intelligent performances as determined, stubborn women who remain admirable even when they're unlovable."[3]

References