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The Substitute Wife

  • TV Movie
  • 1994
  • PG-13
  • 1h 32m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
618
YOUR RATING
Farrah Fawcett in The Substitute Wife (1994)
DramaRomanceWestern

In Nebraska, in pioneer days, a woman who knows she is going to die asks a prostitute to replace her with her husband and four children in order to make it possible for them to keep their fa... Read allIn Nebraska, in pioneer days, a woman who knows she is going to die asks a prostitute to replace her with her husband and four children in order to make it possible for them to keep their family farm.In Nebraska, in pioneer days, a woman who knows she is going to die asks a prostitute to replace her with her husband and four children in order to make it possible for them to keep their family farm.

  • Director
    • Peter Werner
  • Writer
    • Stan Daniels
  • Stars
    • Farrah Fawcett
    • Lea Thompson
    • Peter Weller
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    618
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Werner
    • Writer
      • Stan Daniels
    • Stars
      • Farrah Fawcett
      • Lea Thompson
      • Peter Weller
    • 14User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos6

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    Top cast27

    Edit
    Farrah Fawcett
    Farrah Fawcett
    • Pearl
    Lea Thompson
    Lea Thompson
    • Amy Hightower
    Peter Weller
    Peter Weller
    • Martin Hightower
    Karis Paige Bryant
    Karis Paige Bryant
    • Jessica
    • (as Karis Bryant)
    Cory Lloyd
    • Nathan
    Colton Conklin
    • Jack
    Annie Suite
    • Mrs. Van Der Meer
    Babs George
    Babs George
    • Mrs. Parker
    Gena Sleete
    • Hattie Donahue
    Gail Cronauer
    Gail Cronauer
    • Isabel Donahue
    Lou Perryman
    • Saloon Keeper
    Jonathan Joss
    Jonathan Joss
    • Black Deer
    Blue Deckert
    Blue Deckert
    • Royal Spencer
    Wally Welch
    Wally Welch
    • Jake
    Guich Koock
    • Mr. Van Der Meer
    John S. Davies
    John S. Davies
    • Preacher #1
    Tony Frank
    Tony Frank
    • Major Willows
    John Harrison
    John Harrison
    • Groom
    • Director
      • Peter Werner
    • Writer
      • Stan Daniels
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews14

    6.4618
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    Featured reviews

    6dhannah1955

    The Substitute Wife

    I thought the movie was good and kept me watching it but I was very surprised when it has a PG-13 rating. I wouldn't want my grandchildren watching it. I thought that it was very similar to the other Hallmark movies with a similar plot but this movie actually came first and I think that is why the other movies were improved on from it. I believe that back in those days they would not have had allowed actions in front of the children such as was in this movie. I really felt, all in all, that the movie was heartwarming and kinda sweet although I wouldn't have done it that way, I don't care what the ways were. Nice movie for a lady to sit down with a cup of tea and watch, not sure that the husband would appreciate it.
    10eileenmillie

    A beautiful depicted film, dealing sensitively with the given predicament!

    I had watched this film when it first came out and was left emotionally moved by it, so much so that when the opportunity arose to view it again came up i thought, yes why not! Lea Thompson played the wife who was dying. Loved and determination drove her to find someone to love and care for her husband and children when she was gone. Having loved someone deeply but being unable to be with them, yet being glad that someone else could be, I could relate how she would be driven by pure motives. The subject matter was dealt with in a realistic way and the acting was natural and drew me into the situation as an onlooker, being able to view the situation from each of the characters position. An excellent film, well worth the time taken to watch it!
    Kirpianuscus

    different

    this is its basic virtue - it is a different western. not only because the classic confrontations between men front to saloon are absent but for the delicate, seductive and touching answer for a basic question about the brave men . it is a comfortable film. and one who, with high care, gives a precise portrait of family life in prairie, with humor and tenderness, bitter scenes and using the poetry of small details. a film like a book from lost age. with the perfect resurrection of atmosphere and a form of romanticism who not becomes too sweet as great virtues. so, a refuge. or, just a great and profound love story.
    lionel.willoquet

    A prostituted wife.

    1869, at a farm in Nebraska. Amy Hightower (Lea Thompson) discovers that she is affected by an incurable illness. Wife and devoted mother, she decides to find a new woman for her husband, Martin (Peter Weller). Having finally persuaded her husband, Amy visits numerous widows, but always returns empty-handed. Frustrated, she eventually makes her proposition to prostitutes. One of them, Pearl ( Farrah Fawcett), accepts immediately...

    Looking like "The Little House on the Prairie ", with a shot of vulgarity and a good dose of unlikeliness. On this insipid cream tart, a cherry: Farrah Fawcett!
    7taralynhuber

    Different, Original.

    I was captivated by this story because you don't see many stories like this. A woman is dying and finds someone to replace her to take care of her husband and children. Eventually the husband and the replacement start to care for each other and the wife approves. There is more to the story. Was sad and funny and very good story telling.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance
    John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. in The Searchers (1956)
    Western

    Storyline

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • May 23, 1994 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Substitute
    • Filming locations
      • Austin, Texas, USA
    • Production companies
      • Frederick S. Pierce Company
      • Patchett Kaufman Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 32m(92 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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