Six Weeks

I was the same age as Katherine Healy when this film opened, I have life threatening disabilities from birth. At this movie's release, I'd lost two siblings during childhood to the same illness, so Six Weeks touched a serious cord in my heart.

Some critics resented this movie's heartfelt message as 'sappy' but I felt this movie was realistic.

Nowadays we have make a wish foundations for kids with terminal, critical, life threatening health conditions. I feel the message of the movie Six Weeks helped make these wish charities happen.

The movie was also a perk to the New York City tourists industry that was in the process of cleaning up times square etcetera for a retail and family friendly vacation location, (for example the Central Park horse carriage rides, skating, riding the subway) all showed viewers how great a New York City vacation could be instead of cinema examples like Midnight Cowboy.

A classy movie, a little long winded like most 1982 movies, but definitely worth the time. Its a sad yet uplifting story. Katharine Healy did a great job of being a precocious child dealing with her eminent death from lukimia. She encounters an up and coming politician, Dudley Moore, who forms an instant bond, with her and her mother (Mary Tyler Moore). But did i mention he was married and has his own child? He sort of lives a double life with them. Its very frustrating and an awkward arrangement. You can definately feel the conflict. Plus the little girl only has 6 weeks to live. Lots of ballet arrangements, and musical renditions! Bring the tissues!!!!!!!!

I absolutely LOVE this movie. Is it a tear-jerker that will pull on your heartstrings? Yes. Is it a little manipulative with your emotions at times? Sure, but in this world of Lifetime movies that have totally screwed up the perception of how powerful an old-fashioned emotional love story can be, it is very easy to overlook this very well made little gem of a film.

The performances of the three leads are stellar and that vaults the story passed what could be complete dreck in lesser hands. Dudley Moore and Mary Tyler Moore give two of the best performances of their careers and it's sad that not too many people know about or remember this one. The young girl who played Mary Tyler Moore's daughter, Katherine Healy, only made this one film and was never heard from again. Too bad, since she showed quite a bit of promise. It would have been nice to see what she would have done after this. She was very mature for her age and I would love to know whatever happened to her.

I truly believe that if the powers that be see fit to one day release this on DVD, more people would give this film a chance. I hope that happens so that more people can experience what I have loved for many, many years. Plus I only have it on a very well-worn VHS tape and fear losing it forever if it were to ever break.

First rate drama! Part of what I appreciated in this film was the acting of the two leads: Dudley Moore and Mary Tyler Moore both known for their comedic abilities. Their measured performances here were spot on, and I was sure the young actress who was excellent in her role would have acted more, but no. It was lovely to see MTM dance and Ms. Healy's dancing, especially in the big finale was radiant, incredible. The chemistry between all three of them was great. It made the story line believable. I liked the story and appreciated the ending, adult characters acting with maturity and respect, even when it's really hard, is nice to see. Dudley Moore was really excellent, conveying so much with a look, and a deep vulnerability was conveyed through his eyes while he communicated and acted with strength and compassion. 36 years later, and though the film is a bit dated, the story and acting are timeless.

I've been doing the dubious exercise of watching Dudley Moore's movies from the 80's and feel sorry for his bad career choices and his often passive half-awake on-screen persona. This is typical Moore's fare except when we have some glimpse of energy in Moore's acting when he shares scenes with co-star Katherine Healy.

The setup plot for the movie is interesting but all points of tension in the story are discarded halfway: the election, the wife, the platonic romance. With nothing at stake you are just left waiting for the inevitable while watching a big-budget domestic family movie.

This could have been a good movie if the script was more even. It may be hard to judge the lead actors performances as bad with a script so weak.

On a production note, the movie is really well shot and quite easy on the eyes except for Mary Tyler's haircut.