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A Child's Wish

  • TV Movie
  • 1997
  • 1h 36m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
349
YOUR RATING
John Ritter and Anna Chlumsky in A Child's Wish (1997)
BiographyDramaSport

A family discovers their youngest daughter has cancer, but the real struggle is still ahead.A family discovers their youngest daughter has cancer, but the real struggle is still ahead.A family discovers their youngest daughter has cancer, but the real struggle is still ahead.

  • Director
    • Waris Hussein
  • Writer
    • Susan Nanus
  • Stars
    • John Ritter
    • Tess Harper
    • Anna Chlumsky
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.6/10
    349
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Waris Hussein
    • Writer
      • Susan Nanus
    • Stars
      • John Ritter
      • Tess Harper
      • Anna Chlumsky
    • 9User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos

    Top cast23

    Edit
    John Ritter
    John Ritter
    • Ed Chandler
    Tess Harper
    Tess Harper
    • Joanna Chandler
    Anna Chlumsky
    Anna Chlumsky
    • Missy Chandler
    Sarah Chalke
    Sarah Chalke
    • Melinda
    Karl David-Djerf
    • Scott
    Bob Morrisey
    Bob Morrisey
    Kevin McNulty
    Kevin McNulty
    • Robbie
    Bill Clinton
    Bill Clinton
    • Self
    David James Lewis
    David James Lewis
    • Rick
    • (as David Lewis)
    Janine Cox
    • Karen
    Aurelio DiNunzio
    • Hank
    • (as Aurelio Dinunzio)
    Merrilyn Gann
    Merrilyn Gann
    • Dr. Cross
    Eva De Viveiros
    • Jenny
    Freda Perry
    • Lucille
    Michael St. John Smith
    Michael St. John Smith
    • Bailey
    Mitchell Kosterman
    Mitchell Kosterman
    • Alvin
    • (as Mitch Kosterman)
    Fred Henderson
    Fred Henderson
    • Senator
    Brian Arnold
    Brian Arnold
    • Newscaster
    • Director
      • Waris Hussein
    • Writer
      • Susan Nanus
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews9

    6.6349
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    Featured reviews

    ciecie

    Correct me if I'm wrong

    It was based on true story. The really events lead up to The Family And Medical Leave Act. I know the names of all but one of the characters were changed to protect their rights to privacy. Anyway, this law guarantees a person up to six weeks leave when a family member has a serious illness. By law the employer has to give it to the person. Now to what I saw thought of movie. I think John Ritter was wonderful in the role of Ed Chandler. When I saw the movie, I was very surprised to see President Clinton in it. I will have to look for it on video at my local library. I hope they run it on television again soon. Maybe Lifetime or Hallmark will have it. This is the kind of movie those two channels would show.
    4GSchizas

    Predictable from the second minute

    It could be a nice film, but it was too predictable. The script was shouting it was made for TV. It might be a true story, but at some points it seemed too much that a lot of events were put together just for the dramatical effect of them, and it came out too unrealistic. It was a good thing watching Anna Chlumsky in a more mature role, but I thought that role was tailor-made exactly for that purpose. It was also a surprize seeing the final guest star, playing himself, and in fact a reason for searching IMDb for this movie!
    IndianaHighway

    Tearjerker

    This movie was beautiful. I remember the first time I saw this movie I was 12 and I cried so much. It's a great movie, but because it's so thematic, I really wouldn't recommend it for children.A young girl Cancer-battling her way through life shows how much you should value life in case you lose it completely.
    10zdickysmommy

    Tear Jerker

    The movie was amazing .. John Ritter, RIP, did an AWESOME job in this movie. It is such a sad movie, and what makes it even more sad is that its a true story! The struggles that poor Missy went through are horrible, but she was lucky to have her family and her best friend and boyfriend stand by her side! I had to try really hard not to cry though this movie. My heart reached out to her and to her family. Her family struggled big time, not only emotionally but money wise because the dad lost his job! I almost cried when he got fired! But thanks to her and her family it helped pave the way to the FMLA which I have had to use! May God hold her and keep her in Heaven and May he bless her family thats left here on earth without her!
    10aruznam

    Wonderful movie!

    I watched this movie twice and I cried throughout both times I watched. It's very touching and teaches you to appreciate life. All actors played their parts very well but Missy's and her dad's roles were especially remarkable. In some way it reminded me of "Forrest Gump" movie where forest lost his mom to cancer as well. I think Bill Clinton did a wonderful job appearing in this movie and I respect him for that. It would be even better if he appeared with his wife and daughter, Hillary and Chelsea. I disagree with one of the comments that it should not be shown to kids. I think children of all ages should learn from Missy's experience that life is not all fun and joy, but also struggle.

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Trivia
      Towards the end the main character gets to meet the President of the United States. The scene was shot inside the real Oval Office of the White House and Bill Clinton appeared as himself--the first time in history a serving US president willingly appears as himself in a fictitious story.

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • January 21, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • A Fight for Justice
    • Filming locations
      • Washington, District of Columbia, USA
    • Production companies
      • O'Hara-Horowitz Productions
      • TeleFilm
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1 hour, 36 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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