A Map of the World (1999)

Directed by: Scott Elliott

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: Alice Goodwin (Sigourney Weaver) is a working mother who is juggling a difficult daughter with an indifferent husband and a stressful school nursing job, all of which starts to unravel when a girl accidentally drowns while in her care.

Kitty Cameo: The Goodwin family own a silver tabby cat who remains unnamed throughout the film. The cat is first seen with daughter Emma (Dara Perlmutter) on the breakfast table. Alice picks the cat up and puts him on the floor, pushing him away.

A Map of the World - silver tabby cat on kitchen table with Emma Dara Perlmutter

A Map of the World - silver tabby cat being taken off kitchen table with Emma Dara Perlmutter

A Map of the World - silver tabby cat being set on floor

Emma is constantly testing her mother’s authority. After being punished during another breakfast, Emma returns to the table where she dumps out her cereal on the floor and then throws the bowl down where it shatters. The cat is seen licking at the milk on the floor.

A Map of the World - silver tabby cat eating cereal and milk off kitchen floor

Alice scoops up the cat and carries it outside, pausing to try to control her anger. She shakes as if she is going to hurt the cat, but manages to refrain from taking her anger out on the poor animal.

A Map of the World - silver tabby cat being taken outside by Alice Sigourney Weaver

A Map of the World - silver tabby cat being held outside by Alice Sigourney Weaver

Alice’s husband, Howard (David Strathairn), happens by and asks what she’s doing. “What am I doing?” Alice asks in exasperation, “I’m about to suffocate this cat instead of our daughter.” Howard just says he’ll be in soon and walks away.

A Map of the World - silver tabby cat held outside by Alice Sigourney Weaver with Howard David Strathairn

Alice calls after him, “I think I’m handling it fine, Howard. I really think I am.”

The cat is next seen in younger daughter Claire’s (Kayla Perlmutter) lap in a round chair. The girls then see their mother’s arrest on television.

A Map of the World - silver tabby cat on lap of Claire Kayla Perlmutter in chair behind Emma Dara Perlmutter and Howard David Strathairn

A Map of the World - silver tabby cat on lap of Claire Kayla Perlmutter in chair with Emma Dara Perlmutter and Howard David Strathairn

To help pay Alice’s legal expenses, the family has to sell their dairy farm. The girls hold the tabby cat one last time. When Alice is released from prison and arrives at the family’s new apartment she asks where the cat is. Emma explains that no pets are allowed.