Tiger Eyes

Tiger Eyes – Trailer from Tashmoo Productions on Vimeo.

Judy Blume’s novels have enjoyed enduring popularity for their frank, honest portrayals of growing up, introducing generations of young readers to more mature subjects. Yet oddly, none of her books have ever been adapted to film—until now. Blume’s 1981 book Tiger Eyes seems an unlikely candidate for the author’s first adaptation, especially given the built-in name recognition of books like Superfudge and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Nevertheless, it’s the book her son, Lawrence Blume, decided to tackle for his second feature film. Starring Arrow and Gossip Girl’sWilla Holland as Davey, and Amy Jo Johnson—still probably best known as the Pink Ranger on Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers—as her mother Gwen, Tiger Eyes depicts a family uprooted from Atlantic City to Los Alamos, New Mexico following the sudden death of Davey’s father. Though it doesn’t tackle some of Blume’s more “controversial” topics, it still grapples with the grown-up subject of grief in its many forms, as Davey explores the surrounding canyons and befriends a fellow hospital volunteer and an older Native American boy. The film made the festival circuit this past year, and finally hits theaters and On Demand on June 7.