A gifted high-school student flubs her college admissions interviews for the most unexpected reasons in this independent coming-of-age drama. Cynical, world-weary Evie (Lauren Ambrose) is more interested in taking care of her family than getting into the Ivy League institutions for which she seems destined. Dad Harry (John Savage) spends all his time building model trains in the basement, while workaholic mom Martha (Amy Madigan) depends on Evie to take care of her other daughter, developmentally challenged Emily (Taylor Roberts). When shes not busy reading poetry to her sister Emily, Evie hangs out with James (Fran Kranz), the sensitive boy next door, whose romantic overtures prove too confusing to acknowledge. College also seems too daunting, so Evie deliberately blows one university interview after another in the hopes of staying at home as her sisters keeper. Meanwhile, Evie begins passing off her own poems as Emilys, fuelling the belief that her brain-damaged sister is actually a literary savant. The scheme, of course, blows up in her face -- but Evie isnt prepared for the other family secrets that emerge when the truth comes out. Directed by indie producer-turned-director Melissa Painter, Admissions was adapted by screenwriter Dawn OLeary from her own stage play. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide