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Dangerous Child

  • TV Movie
  • 2001
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.1/10
687
YOUR RATING
Delta Burke and Ryan Merriman in Dangerous Child (2001)
Drama

A divorced mother faces the bitter irony of being suspected of child abuse when in fact her own teen son is taking verbal and physical swipes at her.A divorced mother faces the bitter irony of being suspected of child abuse when in fact her own teen son is taking verbal and physical swipes at her.A divorced mother faces the bitter irony of being suspected of child abuse when in fact her own teen son is taking verbal and physical swipes at her.

  • Director
    • Graeme Campbell
  • Writers
    • Karen Stillman
    • Alan Hines
  • Stars
    • Delta Burke
    • Ryan Merriman
    • Vyto Ruginis
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.1/10
    687
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Graeme Campbell
    • Writers
      • Karen Stillman
      • Alan Hines
    • Stars
      • Delta Burke
      • Ryan Merriman
      • Vyto Ruginis
    • 17User reviews
    • 2Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination total

    Photos5

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    Top cast35

    Edit
    Delta Burke
    Delta Burke
    • Sally Cambridge
    Ryan Merriman
    Ryan Merriman
    • Jack Cambridge
    Vyto Ruginis
    Vyto Ruginis
    • Brad Cambridge
    Marc Donato
    Marc Donato
    • Leo Cambridge
    Barclay Hope
    Barclay Hope
    • Frank
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    Rosemary Dunsmore
    • Margo
    Deborah Odell
    Deborah Odell
    • Marcia
    Richard Zeppieri
    Richard Zeppieri
    Tamsin Kelsey
    Tamsin Kelsey
    • Virginia
    Dan Petronijevic
    Dan Petronijevic
    • Luke
    Asia Vieira
    Asia Vieira
    • Kayla
    Patricia Wanstall
    • Amber
    Jonathan Payne
    Jonathan Payne
    • Seth
    Linda Salkeld
    • Wendy
    Ari Cohen
    Ari Cohen
    • Guidance Counselor
    Shannon Hile
    Shannon Hile
    • Alice
    Johnie Chase
    Johnie Chase
    • Nicholas
    Paulino Nunes
    Paulino Nunes
    • George
    • Director
      • Graeme Campbell
    • Writers
      • Karen Stillman
      • Alan Hines
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    6.1687
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    Featured reviews

    4therainbowtheatrekid

    May as well read the synopsis

    The film is exactly what the synopsis says, "mother is accused of abusing her children, when in reality her son is the abuser." Of the 90 minutes of the films runtime, 80 of them is just various scenes of the oldest son acting out, then being abusive towards his mother.

    Since the movie spent all of it's time (and budget I assume) on mentioned above, the ending is rushed and lackluster. The movie tries to fit some emotional scenes in here, one's that if they actually had time would've made their mark, but they fall flat. The very ending scene skips six months ahead without telling the viewer and, while cute, really makes you go "that's it??"

    You'll save yourself the time if you just read the synopsis paragraph.
    HeaVeN_SenT_0x

    When a mothers oldest son becomes violent she lives in fear. Her son Jack is sneaking out when he has to babysit his 9 year old brother, once got arrested for shoplifting, and fights with his mom. The fighti

    What would you do if your child was a danger to you? This is the question that Sally Cambridge (Delta Burke), a divorced mother, must face when her 16-year-old son Jack who is very violent. Sally lives in fear, should she turn Jack in before its to late, or dose he accidentally hurt his younger brother badly while fighting with his mom? Dangerous Child is a WONDERFUL movie and the acting was great, I think everyone should watch this move on Lifetime TV.
    6blanche-2

    When the child is the abuser

    This is an interesting movie starring Delta Burke, one of my favorites, and Ryan Merriman, who does an excellent job as a teenager who turns on his mother.

    Burke is divorced from a verbally abusive and belittling man, and she has custody of their two children. The older boy becomes less and less able to cope with his emotions and begins to act violently against his mother.

    He's jealous of a man she's seeing, he has anger issues over the divorce, and in his father, there's an excellent role model to blame his mother. She can't handle him so she covers for him by lying. This leads to a near fatality.

    Merriman plays a boy who's obviously a good albeit extremely troubled kid, and Burke is excellent as a frustrated and helpless mother. It's an all too typical situation today, unfortunately.

    The film handles the issues well, especially by pointing out that the boy's behavior was not learned overnight, and it won't go away instantly either. Fairly absorbing, and I always love seeing Delta.
    9MarieGabrielle

    Well-directed and presented...

    this film addresses an issue which we do not often hear about, when the child is the abuser. We do hear of elder abuse in the news, but only the most extreme cases. What is valuable about this movie is that it also encompasses the societal problems, what Delta Burke(the mother) may or may not have done to cause the problem, and the reasons why the behavior is occurring.

    Vito Ruginis portrays the father, who is re-married and treats his son (well played by Ryan Merriman) as his friend/buddy. Many parenting issues are explored, such as when Burke covers up for her son when the police are at the door, after he has hit her, and she has fallen on the floor. There is also a disturbing scene where he abuses the family cat.

    Delta Burke gives an excellent and touching performance as a divorced mother, struggling to raise two sons. She has no idea why Merriman has such uncontrollable rage, and initially thinks he is just in a phase that he will grow out of. There is also the fact that she has no support or help from the ex-husband and father (Ruginis) who has the attitude "boys will be boys".

    The point of this film is to show that behavior occurs for a reason. When Burke attends therapy, she realizes that she has allowed her ex-husband to verbally abuse her, and the son may have picked up on this attitude. She also realizes that her ex-husband's behavior has negatively influenced her son.

    While there are never easy answers, this film has at least three different perspectives: the mother,trying to do the right thing; the son, who is angry and does not know why; and his father, who is in complete denial. Highly recommended. 9/10.
    ditzyemily

    I loved it!!

    i really enjoyed this movie it was great i really liked ryan merriman in this more serious roll i have to admitt when he knocked out his brother and ryan started to cry also this is a very powerful movie and i defintently suggest u watch it!! thanx 4 ur time!!

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The rag-doll cat, Gus, was not harmed in the making of the movie.
    • Goofs
      The cut on Sally's neck is first seen on the left side of her neck (when facing her). Later, the cut is seen near the middle of her neck on the right side.
    • Quotes

      [Jack is holding his beat-up pet cat, Gus, and crying while he looks at how he hurt his pet]

      Jack Cambridge: I'm sorry... oh God, I'm so sorry.

      [sobbing]

      Jack Cambridge: [Sally watches through the door frame with tears in her eyes]

    • Connections
      References Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 16, 2001 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hijos de la violencia
    • Filming locations
      • Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Freyda Rothstein Productions
      • Hearst Entertainment Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 31m(91 min)
    • Color
      • Color

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