Tribute, starring Brittany Murphy, is a Lifetime TV movie based on a Nora Roberts romance novel. The romantic suspense story debuted on Lifetime on April 11, 2009, just eight months before Brittany Murphy passed away on December 20, 2009. Brittany Murphy Hollywood Starlet Dead at 32. The cast of Tribute includes Brittany Murphy, Jason Lewis, Christian Oliver, Diana Scarvid and Tippi Hedren.
Tribute a Nora Roberts Romance
Tribute debuted in April, in a series of four Nora Roberts romances which included Northern Lights (LeAnn Rimes and Eddie Cibran), Midnight Bayou (Jerry O'Connell, Lauren Stamile and Faye Dunaway) and High Noon (Emilie DeRavie, Ivan Sergei and Cybil Shepard). The Nora Roberts romance series was based on novels by the popular novelist.
Brittany Murphy as Cilla McGowan
In Tribute Brittany Murphy starred as spunky Cilla McGowan, child star turned home rehab contractor, who purchased her deceased grandmother's delapidated house. Cilla's grandmother, a Hollywood star who lived in Virginia, had died 30 years previously. Her death had been ruled a suicide by overdose, but Cilla began to question that conclusion, based on dreams in which she spoke to her grandmother and some love notes she found from a mysterious, unnamed lover.
While Cilla worked on rehabbing the nearly ruined house, she met her handsome neighbor, Ford Sawyer (Jason Lewis), a young man who seemed too good to be true. Cilla, who had a poor track record with men, resisted the temptation at first but succumbed to his charms. She learned that Ford was an artist himself and the couple seemed to have a understanding of each other.
Unfortunately, someone in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia resented Cilla and started vandalizing her property and leaving threatening messages, shattering her serenity. The film built to a suspenseful climax as Cilla's very life was in danger, in a scene that was hard to watch in light of recent events.
Brittany Murphy is best known for her comic roles, but the expressive actress showed a flair for drama in Tribute. The actress looked cute in her contractor boots, but the fragile looking actress was not entirely believable as a woman who works with her hands as a construction contractor.
Cast of Nora Roberts Tribute
- Brittany Murphy as Cilla McGowan
- Jason Lewis as Ford Sawyer
- Christian Oliver as Steve Chensky
- Diana Scarwid as Cathy Morrow
- Tippi Hedren as Mrs. Hennessey
- Tiffany Morgan as Janey
- Griff Furst as Brian Morrow
- Wallace Merch as Carl Hennessy
- Mark Wilson as Det. Alvin Wilson
- Elliott Grey as Tom Morrow
- Brandi Coleman as Shana
- Blake Nelson Boyd as 1970's Party Piano Player
Tribute is currently available online on the Lifetime TV website. The movie is also available on DVD.
