Unforgivable

I expected a cheesy 1990s era B or C movie coming into this, but was pleasantly surprised. This is not normally the kind of movie that I would review, but seeing as though it has had such little attention, I thought I would leave my thoughts.

This is actually a fairly solid movie that has a tangible and believable message. You actually feel connected to the characters, and I must say that Ritter performs his role masterfully. No spoilers here, but I think that this is a tight and tidy script with above decent acting that deserves some kudos for not trying to be more than it is.

This is more for Theo Robertson - but it can be for anyone with a similar viewpoint. Therapy CAN change an abusive person IF they decide they want to change. I am proof! I went into group therapy because I thought I had "a problem with my anger". I saw a lot of parallels between myself and Paul Hegstrom. I wasn't nearly as abusive, but I had the same type of characteristics, right up to the point of telling the counselor that I had "an anger problem", pretty much like Paul Hegstrom did. Just like he, himself, I learned that I had been taught that behavior, that's where it started. Knowing exactly what the problem was gave me a starting point to change it! Just like he did. The movie's excellent and I was blown away by John Ritter's portrayal. At first I didn't even believe it WAS him because I've never seen him play anything other than a humorous character. The movie's excellent!

TV movie based on a true story about a wife-beating man who storms out on his family and then proceeds to beat his new fiancé even worse. The new fiancé insists he go to group or she will press charges. This is high quality TV fare like few made-for-TV movies are. John Ritter is a joy to watch once again, and he is surrounded by a great cast.

This movie should not be viewed from the perspective of entertainment. It is truly a treasure tool that many may never unearth if they are only wanting to be entertained. If you look at for its acting merits or production qualities only you will miss the message that it has for trouble people. It is a true story based on the life of Paul Hegstrom. Its very difficult to think that someone could really live a life such as his. But, the truth is that there are millions of people in our world struggling with their abusive behavior not even recognizing it as such. They have not known where or how to get help. Paul Hegstrom's life did not end with this movie. After remarrying his wife Judy, they went on to build a ministry called Life Skills International based in Denver, CO. They have helped huge numbers of couples restore their marriages. His work has saved many womens lives from the abuse of their partners and he has defined abuse in terms that brings healing to troubled marriages. I know because I have just experienced a week at Life Skills, have just viewed this movie and it has been life changing!

John Ritter was well known for playing nice guys so in Unforgivable he takes a turn to the dark side playing a hard drinking, wife beater in this true life television film.

Ritter plays Paul Hegstrom a whiny car salesman who abuses his wife has a girlfriend (Beth) on the side and when he walks out on his wife and kids he soon turns on Beth as well hospitalizing her in a bout of rage.

Beth forces Paul to join a counselling group for abusive men or else she will press criminal charges. He reluctantly joins a radical therapy group with other spousal abusive men like him and eventually realises the extent of his abuse and the effect that it had on his wife and kids, especially his daughter who wants nothing to do with him.

Ritter relishes playing a more darker character but the TV movie does pull its punches a little because of its medium. Paul is shown to be rather one dimensional, a charmless loser, he is argumentative with his boss and even testy with his friends. Usually these types of guys are charming at work and with their friends to highlight their Jekyll/Hyde nature.

Kevin Dunn plays the counsellor who gives his usual good performance but the rest of the therapy group did not convince me, looking like a bunch of stereotypes causing friction with each other, eventually having some sort of comradeship when they each realise the errors of their ways.

Of course Paul has to make amends with his family but although his wife might be prepared to forgive him, his daughter is not. Like a lot of American movie of the week true stories I am not sure how faithful it is to the real life scenario, an intriguing film but not wholly successful.