Customer Reviews

Caroline? (1990) [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Wonderful story, set in the 1950's, of a woman who comes home to her wealthy family who thought she had died in a plane crash many years ago. Or is she an imposter? She must convince everyone that she is really Caroline, and find out if she is welcome in her family and community after letting everyone believe she was dead for so many years. As she gets to know her family again, she attempts to make positive changes in the lives of her skeptical young half brother and disabled half sister.

I'm surprised this movie is not yet on DVD. We have a couple of VHS copies at my library and they have been checked out nearly 400 times. This movie is almost never on the shelf.

Caroline? is one of the best movies ever made for television. The acting is perfect by everyone. Stephanie Zimbalist gives such a great performance that the other actors are often overlooked, but Pamela Reed as Grace, who feels threatened by the arrival of this 'stranger' into her home, matches Zimbalist scene for scene. Shawn Phelan and Jenny Jacobs, as young siblings Winston and Heidi, are also incredible, giving performances that are beyond their years. There are wonderful metaphors and foreshadowing throughout, and many little details that may be missed with only one viewing (for example, check out the book that the adult Winston picks up and looks at early on- I'd watched this movie 4 times before I'd caught that wonderful detail). The movie, based on the book Father's Arcane Daughter, is very faithful and what few changes there are only make the story better. A perfect film for adults and children alike!

I've never written an opinion review before but I like this movie so much, I have to to let others know. Find it. Watch it. "Caroline?" really is one of the best movies ever made--TV or otherwise. All of the actors are perfect in their roles of this suspense. Is Caroline really the prodigal daughter or just a con artist? With every new development, I changed my mind. The ending is so unexpected, and the reason Caroline is there is something that will haunt me forever. Within the drama there are dashes of humor--especially from the children--that are charming and believable. I have bought this several times on VHS because I never want to be without it or have the opportunity to let others borrow it. I went to the Hallmark site to suggest they put it on DVD, but unfortunately there is no way to contact them from the site. I also liked Stephanie Zimbalist's acting in "Incident in a Small Town", but "Caroline?" is definitely my favorite. Get it and watch it and share it with others. You'll be glad you did.

Caroline? is a fantastic drama, I saw it two years ago and I can't forget the beautiful Stephanie Zimbalist in that role. I love also its soundtrack composed by Charles Bernstein and hope to find the CD. I suggest to buy it if existing and the VHS too, it's a great work!

I remember watching this movie on TV a few years ago and I'm not 100% certain but I think it might have originally had a longer title, like The Mystery of Caroline or Who is Caroline? or something like that and I think it might have later on been shortened to Caroline? Stephanie Zimbalist has always been one of my favorite actresses and I think she was very good in this intriguing mystery and supsense movie about a woman who may or not be Caroline, a young woman who disappeared and thought to have died. She claims she is Caroline but is she or isn't she is the question. I highly recommend this movie and I wish this and her other movies would be transferred to DVD.

I first found "Caroline?" a few months ago during my quest for Stephanie Zimbalist movies. I'd seen her in some of her earlier work, and I was impressed.

Yet "Caroline?" captured me for itself. It didn't need my biasis.

Despite the familiar plot, I was under the impression that the whole movie would be about whether she was Caroline or not, so I imagined the movie would be good. I was intrigued...so I went out and bought the movie.

"Caroline?" has the mystery and unpredictability that captivates you and wraps you up. It causes the viewer to hold out his/her hand in anticipation.

And while you wait for the something you know is coming, the movie pulls it out from under you unexpectedly.

Suddenly the movie became much more than I ever hoped to get.

The question mark at the end of "Caroline" is rightly placed. It brings to light that "Caroline?" is not what it seems.

Stephanie Zimbalist plays the title role in this made-for-television movie. Seemingly back from the dead, Caroline returns to her wealthy family telling them that she didn't get on the plane that crashed, killing all aboard, but used the disaster to make a clean break with her past life as a party girl.

Her father has remarried while she was away some 14 years, and with his younger wife, fathered two more children, Heidi (Hillary) and Winston. After some initial skepticism, the family welcomes Caroline back into the family.

Caroline takes a good deal of interest in her two half-siblings, especially Heidi. The young girl is 'slow', can't do much of anything for herself, and depends upon her mother Grace (Pamela Reed in a fine performance) and her brother Winston to look after her.

Problem is, Grace is overprotective of her daughter, feeling guilty of not bringing a 'normal' child in the world. This overprotection is stifling Heidi, who wants to be as normal as she can be.

Caroline discovers that Heidi indeed is much more capable than her mother will admit. She makes a pledge to help both Winston and Heidi grow and become all that would be possible.

There is an interesting twist in the end that leaves a few threads hanging, but you'll have to see the movie to experience it for yourself!

Worth seeking out. The art direction is wonderful, bringing us back into the mid-1950s in a very believable fashion.

Nominated for two Emmys and a Golden Globe Award, the latter for Stephanie Zimbalist's fine acting.

Recommended.

This is a wonderful movie. It doesn't matter what genre you usually like or are most comfortable watching. This film is well crafted and cast, with remarkable and memorable performances. Best of all is Stefanie Zimbalist, who is as memorable in every performance, each different, as is her wonderful father, Efrem Zimbalist jr. Enjoy the movie!

I enjoyed it thoroughly! I had watched it years ago when it appeared on TV and have missed it ever since. So glad I was able to find it here.

I bought this movie because I absolutely loved the book on which it was based--Father's Arcane Daughter, by E. L. Konigsburg--and was curious to see how it was portrayed. The book is a work of fiction for children and young adults written in the mid 1970's and looks back to events that took place in the early 1950's to a wealthy family. It was so suspenceful and wonderfully crafted I just had to see if it had been made into a movie.

This is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie that deserves to be put on DVD and given wide distribution nearly 20 years after it was made. Though this movie version has more dramatics than the book, and more than I care for, it still tells the poignant story. It has an ending that's even better than that of the book.

Just a warning. The movie is a real tear jerker. Be prepared to be touched in a way you wouldn't expect. Without giving too much of the story away, there is a question throughout the story about Caroline's real identity. Is she the long lost daughter or a con? She comes into a family of her father's second wife and children, one of whom is handicapped. The love Caroline--or whoever she is--shows for the children is absolutely astounding. Every disabled child should have a Caroline in their life.

Incidentally, watch for how a couple of minor characters make the story possible. Though the movie unfolds somewhat differently than the book, it will still keep you guessing and surprise you right to the end.