The Secret Life of Houses

The powerlessness of sensitive children in the face of adult perversity is one of the themes of this drama about a young girl who faces the prospect of life without her mother. At first, when nine-year old Margaret's (Remy Ryan) mother (Laurie Metcalf) is taken to the hospital, Margaret tries to make sure that no one knows that her mother is dying and that she will soon be left alone. For a while, it looks as though she will succeed, but after her mother dies and her next of kin, Margaret's Aunt Fergie (Shirley Knight), is notified, any foolish hopes she might have along those lines are quickly and efficiently squashed.