This 1989 TV movie featuring an early career performance by Jeff Daniels before he hit it big with Arachnophobia, Speed, Dumb and Dumber and others and Christine Lahti with solid direction by actress Lee Grant and a small performance from pre-Misery Kathy Bates is surprisingly good for a made for TV movie.
Of course it helps it has some recognizable talent in front of and behind the camera to elevate it from your average television film.
The acting is just fine as to be expected and the dialogue and scenarios are effective relatable and handled delicately and intelligently for the most part in the first half.
However by the second half the movie ran out of gas for me a little bit. It seems like there were lots of chances for the characters to do logical situations with the obstacles facing them.
I wanted to smack some common sense into them a little bit towards the end so that weakened the film a tad for me but there is no denying this still a very effective well made drama, and proof that not all made for TV movies have to be low quality compared to big screen Hollywood flicks.
This is definitely one of the best television films I have ever seen hands down despite some flaws.
But it doesn't need to be perfect for me to recommend it. There is still plenty of good stuff to see here and discover if you missed it way back when in 89.
Thank goodness for Tubi for keeping hidden gems like this available to stream for free and appreciate them many years later.
Overall excellent drama that I recommend you stream without hesitation.
