Is the Poker House a True Story?

The Poker House is a 2008 American semi-autobiographical drama film directed by Lori Petty, in her directorial debut. The film depicts the abusive childhood experienced by Petty herself.

The screenplay by David Alan Grier is based on a story by Petty and Laura Harrington. It stars Jennifer Lawrence as Agnes, Selma Blair as Sarah, and Bokeem Woodbine as Duane.

Agnes (Lawrence) is a 13-year-old girl living in a brothel in Iowa with her two sisters, 13-year-old Sarah (Blair) and 8-year-old Celia (Chloe Grace Moretz). Their mother, Jean (Drea de Matteo), is a drug addict and prostitute who allows men to abuse her daughters in exchange for drugs or money.

Agnes is forced to work as a prostitute to help support the family. One day, she is raped by one of her mother’s johns.

The girls are eventually taken away from their mother by child protective services. They are placed in foster care with a family who lives on a farm.

PRO TIP:The Poker House is a movie based on the true story of director and actress Lori Petty’s childhood. The movie follows the struggles of Petty and her two sisters as they live with their single mother, a drug addicted gambler. Although the movie is based on Petty’s life, some elements have been changed to create a more dramatic story.

The father, Bob (Woodbine), is an alcoholic who regularly beats his wife, Doris (Petty), and children. The girls are subjected to further abuse at the hands of Bob and Doris.

Agnes eventually runs away from home and returns to the Poker House. She finds her mother dead from an overdose and her sisters gone.

She then sets fire to the house and walks away.

The Poker House is based on Petty’s own childhood experiences. Petty has said that the film is not “a Hollywood movie” but “a truth movie”.

She has also said that she hopes the film will help other victims of child abuse to come forward and tell their stories.