The Poker House (2008)

Actress-turned-filmmaker Lori Petty makes her feature directorial debut with this period drama starring Selma Blair, Bokeem Woodbine, and David Alan Grier. Set in 1976, THE POKER HOUSE explores a typical day in the life of a decidedly atypical teen named Agnes. Some folks have the luxury of living each day to the fullest, but for Agnes every day is a grueling struggle for survival: Her mother is strung out on drugs, her home has been overrun by degenerates, and her only father figure is a pimp. For Agnes and her two younger sisters, this particular day will be marked by both tragedy and triumph, but which will resonate most in the days and weeks to follow? [D-Man2010] Lori Petty tells her life through her character Agnes. Agnes is a 14 year old girl, an aspiring basketball player with straight As. She has 2 younger sisters which she tries to protect from the life her mother leads. Her mom is a prostitute who brings home different men every night. Her pimp comes in and smacks her around to get the money out of her and she takes it because she is in love with her. To earn extra money the two older girls have jobs. Agnes works at a pizza place as well as a newspaper as she is an aspiring writer. Bee, the middle sister delivers papers in the morning. The baby tries to sleep over at her friends house because her friend has food. The three struggling children try and make ends meet with the only father type figure being their mother's pimp. The pimp ultimately rapes Agnes on her living room floor.