Child of Rage

This movie, this EPIC drama is the absolute essence of harsh reality child abuse captured on film. However, thankfully, the audience is not subjected to visual monstrosities, instead to the brutal repercussions, horrible effects on the child's mind. Movies like this one, which was written and produced with "eyes wide open" if you get my meaning, are of course under-appreciated and naturally unpopular because it is extremely emotionally intense. This film deals directly with and delivers the raw, pure evil that can so easily be created and begotten simply by other evil-- what and who children become of being brutally abused, alienated, neglected. I've seen this film twice within five years and both times cried during several parts and bawled after the end... for I can only and completely feel the outrage and true crime of what psychosis does to children, hence deep sadness of the reality of what people are and do. So, obviously, FAINTHEARTED & EMOTIONAL -BEWARE. One important thing though! This movie is not a complete depressant and downer. It teaches the lesson of hope and the power of love as Catherine and her brother are luckily sent to live and grow up with a caring, loving Christian family who doesn't give up on them when Cat's rage emerges with a passion and helps her deal with and heal her severely disturbed mind. That part of the story was mostly unrealistic, but beneficial and justified. It gave us what we wanted to see-- a basically good ending. All in all? This movie is awesome in the serious issues department. Thorough, informative, heart-wrenching, fairly realistic, profound and IMPORTANT. The main cast did a great job, *especially* and foremost Ashley Peldon (Cat). It will either frustrate, anger and sadden you and/or inspire you to help kids & be part of the solution, not the problem. This film deserves an award. Thank you. (Yes, I'm *finally* DONE! wHeW) =+)

Our children are like our most precious natural resource. We live in a society that is so hardened and callous in so many ways, but crimes against children is still something that hits us right in the gut and sickens our soul as a people and as a nation. Child Of Rage may be one of the hardest films to watch, but you need to watch it. It is hard-hitting and realistic and based on a true story. People have often spoken about how Hollywood is so cynical about religion of any kind. They usually portray "church people" as corrupt crazy or both. I like that fact that in this tv film, a minister and his wife who adopt these two children are portrayed as the most wonderful people. They are good and kind and loving and nothing is presented that would suggest otherwise. Mel Harris is a fine actress who never has gotten just credit. She is wonderful as this loving woman who tries to reach this tortured little girl who has been thru hell. People who only know Dwight Shultz for his role as that crazy pilot on that stupid and ridiculous tv show "The A-Team" would really be shocked if they could see his wonderful and sensitive performance as a true man of God in this film. The best scene for him is in the end when he gives a sermon about children in pain and talks of his own ordeal. It is a truly moving speech indeed. It would take someone utterly without a heart not to be moved by it. There are so many other real-life Catherines in this world who are abused and tortured and hurt and this film makes you realize that. I had never heard of the little actress who plays Catherine in this film, but she is incredible. you feel so bad for her, but it is also chilling how cruel she is when she attacks her little brother and tries to stab her parents, when she stabs the family dog, throws fits, attacks a classmate and fondles her poor grandfather. You just want to look away watching this but cannot. Mariette Hartley is a wonderful actress and gives a great performance as an understanding psychiatrist. The scenes in this film that are hardest to watch are when they use the "holding" technique with the little girl. Where they hold her and make her explode in rage. It is sort of like watching The Exorcist the way she acts. This is a first-rate tv film with fine performances all around. It may not be a pleasant story to watch, but it is one that needs to be told. I felt so bad for little Catherine and I wondered how she turned out in the end if she was ever able to live a normal life. The little actress who played her made her seem so real to me that it haunted me long after the final credits. I guess that is the greatest compliment you could pay an actor. They need to make this film available on video or DVD.

I really enjoyed this movie a lot. Mel Harris was brilliant and Dwight Schulz well known for his role on Star Trek The Next Generation as insecure Barclay and even more well known for his role with Mr T and co really shows another side to his abilities in this film. He is an amazing actor who shines in any role and is particularly good in these kind of drama movies i have found. In all an Excellent TV movie and just the thing if you enjoy a good drama. Not an Hollywood blockbuster by any stretch of the imagination but its not supposed to be. If your thinking of buying this movie I would definitely suggest watching it first via a rental store or catching it when its on television. Highley recommended for all those lovers of TV drama movies with a real life feel. I would definitely watch it again if it came on TV.

The good son and child of rage are the same movie, only this is the good daughter, but this girl was abused by a drunken tyrant of a father. Maybe they should tell us what little Cathrine grew up to be. If everyone were like her, all the jails would be full. I want information on how that girl's doing, since this was a true story and all. YES, it is a chick flick, so what? Lifetime is a women's network. I hope her sessions worked out OK, and I hope her brother isn't afraid of her anymore. Unlike the good son, her mom doesn't drop her off a cliff. Child of rage is boring, but parents really need to see it and get help for their raging kids.

Ashley Peldon is frighteningly real as "Cat" a child who grew up abused and molested, who is then adopted by Mel Harris and Dwight Schultz. Despite their love and attention, the child gets worse (the scene where she abuses the family dog is rather chilling).

Harris learns that the child had a less than ideal upbringing; again this brings up the nature/nurture debate. Harris finally encounters a therapist (Mariette Hartley) who theorizes that the rage must be tapped into, to find the source of the child's pain.

What is interesting and valuable about this Lifetime movie is that it addresses a particular pathology, how the parents attempt to deal with it, and how the health care and/or social work system cannot or will not.

Mariette Hartley, whose father committed suicide (in real life) is very credible as the therapist, discussing rage and denial issues. With problems such as this, it seems society has only begun to skim the surface. 8/10.