Hillbilly Elegy: History vs. Hollywood

The Hillbilly Elegy true story is compared to the Ron Howard film to determine the Hillbilly Elegy movie's historical accuracy. Meet the real J.D. Vance, his mom Bev Vance, sister Lindsay Vance, grandma Mamaw and grandpa Papaw. We also introduce you to J.D. Vance's wife, Usha Chilukuri, who is portrayed by Freida Pinto in the Hillbilly Elegy movie back when she was J.D. Vance's girlfriend after they met at Yale Law School.

Find out if J.D. Vance's mom Bev (Amy Adams) really got fired for rollerskating through the halls of the hospital. Did he have to rush back home for an interview in Connecticut? When did J.D. start living with Mamaw (Glenn Close in the movie) in real life? This episode answers those questions and others regarding the true story behind Hillbilly Elegy.

[Marilyn-hmf]

Reading this book now. About half way. What a story and what an amazing man! I voted for Trump and got JD as a bonus!

[RostamBahadur]

Congratulations Mr. Vice President of the US, JD Vance!

[MelesaEFary]

I was raised with a bipolar mother who medicated with beer. Most bipolar people, and in our family as well, we really didn't realize my mom was manic depressive as we didn't know anything about that disease in the 1950s and 1960s!! We were from Georgia as well! My mom would be up at 2:00 am waxing the floor in high heels and putting down 4 coats and told me it was so us kids wouldn't walk on it--! I believed that's how all moms acted till junior high Thats when I thought she was just eccentric. This movie really brought back the horrors of my childhood. But it also brought the good things too! My mom had the funny "proverb like" hillbilly sayings!! She also was a "mam-ma and my dad was pap-pa. My older sister would "rescue" me from my mom's crazy abusive behaviors. So since I lived this life I can really say something regarding the quality! So great acting to Glenn Close and Amy Adams!! Great direction from Ron Howard! I looked for Clint, Ron's brother, as he is always in his brother's movies but didn't see him. The actor who portrayed the son really stirred me when he would try so hard not to let others know how crazy his mom was at times and through your life you love that maniac mother with a fierce 💘. The way people think Southerners are ignorant and all the predjudice The courage it takes to try to explain it to someone you want in your life but also terrified on being rejected. We all have trials in our lives but crazy moms in the 1960s was really a tough one!!

[janetprice]

We moved to Ohio when I was a kid. We lived in several states because of my Dad's business. I met kids like Mr.Vance. Ohio had a lot of families from Appalachia and Mexico in Ohio working in industry. In my area outside of Sandusky it was agriculture/ food processing plants. Decent hardworking people. They were hit hard by bad trade deals that trashed our American industry in mid -America. Many parents did not speak English and those that were from Appalachia often could not read or write. My Mom taught Sunday School. She wrote and read letters for her young marrieds Sunday School class members. When my brother's first grade teacher realized Mom had been an executive secretary and was literate she was so happy and drafted her as a room mother. No disrespect for the other Mom's they just never had the chance at schooling.

[darrylholcomb]

Watching this movie was reminecent of my dysfunctional youth with my bi- polar mother. We West Virginia hillbillies relocated to Akron, Ohio during WW2. My sister died & it drove my parents crazy. My mother died in a Texas insane asylum, & my father became distant, mean, & died. My maternal grandmother was a saint & I honor her memory. I'm proud JD Vance rose above his upbringing. He'll make a fine VP. I let my dysfunctional youth get the better of me & became as violent & mean as my father. It took years & God's mercy to get that misery out of my system, & retired as a long distance trucker. This life is a "write off" so I've a sure hope in God's poromised new world.

[DWilliam]

Pushing 60 and the book and movie resonates with me despite not being a hillbilly or from the Midwest. It brings back memories that I try to suppress from my own childhood. Growing up with a bi-polar mother with a Borderline personality disorder and surviving a childhood that included verbal threats from her stating things like “may the god of death be upon you” and “I tried to kill you but you survived the abortion”( I was 8) and running to my room, locking and holding the door closed in such a way that the knife blade wouldn’t jab me as it poked a good 3-4 inches through the door, I know just how difficult it is to go on to try to get through school let alone become a successful and somewhat decent person, but like JD I did. It’s real hard to describe how you do it while others can’t(I lost a sister at 38 who never was able to slay her demons and I ended up raising her 7 yo since her ex was a drug addict and incarcerated) but it takes a good amount of intestinal fortitude and tenacity and a will to survive to do what’s right and rise above your circumstance. I always felt that I also got lucky that I was born just a little smarter than most which put me in classes with the other “smart kids” from good families which opened my eyes to a world outside my chaos and gave me something to aspire to. My sister just wasn’t as lucky. As for me, I’m going to vote the ticket JD is on for the first time figuring if he kinda went through what I did and he was able to get out and become a decent and successful man than that is what this country needs as I believe we have come to the crossroads in our society. Thanks for letting me share.

[morganstubie]

I read this book when it came out. I loved it!!!! My family (half of it) is partially hillbilly, and I went off to get my Masters degree in Europe, so this book was Now, jeeeez, he’s running for VP!??? Wow!!! I would have never imagined!🤩

[jimfesta]

I grew up in Bradford, PA, a played out oil town whose small industrial base disappeared in the 1970s. I lived in the lower economic strata and knew what it was like to eat government surplus food before the advent of food stamps. I remember people like those depicted in JD Vance's book. Plenty of alcoholism and domestic violence back then.

[sbhojze]

Vance changed his last name to his grandma's when he gets married. Vance was also the producer of the movie.

[Donna-tgqj]

MaMaw is Glenn Close! The vixen in the iconic movie Fatal Attraction! She is one hell of an actress!

[Ephods]

I love your posts!!! I really loved this movie, ty!

[PoeticProse]

I'm not voting for you, sir, but as a recovering addict and child of abuse myself I applaud your dedication to your own wife and children above numbing the pain you live with daily. It is beyond admirable and I hope the best for your family. ❤

[Nunofurdambiznez]

EXCELLENT video about JD Vance and his family!! I've watched Hillbilly Elegy at LEAST 10 times, now that he's been picked to be Trump's VP running mate!

[wkmax]

I thought the Woman who played the Grandma stole the film, she made this a brilliant movie....

[MM-Iconoclast]

Note that the movie says 'inspired by a true story' - it's clear that it is not an exact enactment of the book. It was actually heartwarming how much of it was accurate. I loved the movie.

[mariekrikava]

I think he made his life great because of his mah maw! God bless her! Glen Close was wonderful in it!

[dannynikos]

Well done mr JD !!!!
A message to all parents suffering from
addiction “Do it for them kids or grandchildren “❤❤❤

[Pack.Leader]

I salute you, Mr VP Elect ! I read the book and saw the movie. JD is a rockstar. I won't be at all surprised if he is elected President when Trump's term is over. This is a movement, not a passing phase. God bless America. 🙏🕊

[desireedufrene]

Why it touched so many is because everyone knows how their grandmother was

[jaswinderkaursaggu]

Really loved this movie great love to two siblings whom looked after their mom. And usha sticking wth him❤