"The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" tells the story of widowed Beatrice Hunsdorfer; a mother best portrayed holding a wine bottle in one hand and a cigarette in the...

"The Effects of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" tells the story of widowed Beatrice Hunsdorfer; a mother best portrayed holding a wine bottle in one hand and a cigarette in the other. She is the last person you would go to for parenting suggestions. Beatrice has two daughters: rebellious bipolar Ruth and young optimistic Matilda who has a love for school. One day Tillie's teacher Mr. Goodman gives the bright girl some marigolds that have been exposed to radiation and as a science experiment she is to see how the plants grow. Ruth could care less and Beatrice does not like the idea, sarcastically suggesting, “Why don’t you grow a tomato patch in the bathroom!” The science experiment is a metaphor for Tillie's life. In the same way the marigolds try to grow under the exposure of radiation, Tillie tries to live in a corrupt house. Throughout the film Tillie never loses hope.