Bastard out of Carolina

Updated June 26, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

This powerful adaptation of Dorothy Allison's bestseller (Houston's directorial debut) made headlines when Ted Turner refused to air it in its entirety on his Turner Network Television, claiming that a child-rape scene was too explicit. Set in 1950s South Carolina, the story chronicles a young, single mother (Leigh) raising her daughter (a brilliant Malone), who's defiantly trying to break away from her new stepfather's abuse. Never mind Mr. Turner; the film is a moving slice of life that deserves to be seen.