Customer Reviews

If Tomorrow Comes [VHS]

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I found a used copy of this 1986 miniseries, and enjoyed it very much. True, it is dated now (the fashions and the technology) but that doesn't matter. It's great fun. Some of the plot devices rely on a lack of technology -- computers were not at all mainstream, and the Internet was an obscure thing back in the mid-'80s. But the cleverness of some of the antics these characters pull is still entertaining. It's even a little *more* entertaining when you realize that thanks to our current technology, they'd never get away with that today.

It's also amazing to see the star power in this film. True, Madolyn Smith isn't seen too much these days, but she's truly remarkable. Beautiful and yet with a sparkle that transcends beauty. And she does well in different disguises and using accents! Very good.

The same year Tom Berenger did this fun miniseries, he also did his Oscar-nominated performance playing a twisted soldier in "Platoon". The characters in these two films could not be any more different. In this film, Berenger plays a good-natured playboy and con man who is easy-going yet strong and resourceful.

Other stars include David Keith, who's done all sorts of parts through the years (he played Richard Gere's friend in "An Officer and a Gentleman"). In this he plays a tormented and unbalanced investigator who is on the trail of our hero and heroine. Even though he doesn't have a huge part, Liam Neeson is also featured in this miniseries (he plays a police detective). Other strong performances come from Richard Kiley, CCH Pounder and Charles Rocket, and a few more.

The story I won't go into too much; suffice it to say it follows the lives of two people -- Smith, who starts out being framed for a crime she didn't commit, and Berenger, who is a con-man who *tries* to go straight. They meet up with each other at various times through the story, in different exotic locales. Their romance is very sweet, and the exciting adventures they experience make this a fun miniseries to watch.

The tv mini-series, in all its true glory, died in the 80s. Jane Seymour and Jacqueline Smith were the queens of the shamelessly fun ones such as "Crossings" and "Rage of Angels," but the oh-so-underrated Madolyn Smith brought adorable innocence to the table when she debuted in "If Tomorrow Comes."

I used to drive my sister crazy during 1986 as I'd watch "ITC" over and over on the VHS cassette I'd used to tape the 3-night miniseries. One day in the late 90s I was shopping and I spotted the movie on professional VHS. Forgetting where I was, I squealed out loud in excitement and an elderly woman nearby looked at me with alarm before she scurried off faster than I'd ever seen anyone move. I probably should have restrained myself, but I had lost my copy years before and all the good memories I'd had of it came flooding back right there in the store.

If only "If Tomorrow Comes" were on DVD...It seems clunky now to go through all three tapes, but it's still worth it, watching the story of the way-too-trusting Tracy Whitney as she faces betrayal and injustice before she battles her way back with a charm and vengeance that can only come from deep suffering and a need for closure.

There are so many reasons to like "ITC," but if I had to list five of them...

--Revenge has never been so sweetly calculated or free of violence. (I enjoy David Mamet's brand of the dirty double cross, but sometimes it's nice to see the softer side of retribution.)

--It's always neat to see talented actors in their earlier days (i.e. CCH Pounder, Tom Berenger, Liam Neeson.)

--Madolyn Smith is so endearing here AND she shows so much promise as an actress. You have to wonder why she didn't go on to do bigger and better things. ("Funny Farm," while cute and harmless enough, just doesn't hold up to what she does in "If Tomorrow Comes.")

--Tom Berenger!! (Those of you who appreciate Mr. Berenger's sex appeal and understated acting will understand! To this day, I still don't get why he isn't more well-known and valued.)

--No other tv movie that followed ever recaptured the true guilty pleasure spirit of the "big" mini-series (except for the very serious and unforgettable "War and Remembrance," which falls under "big" rather than "guilty pleasure" since it had a very important message and hardly could be considered light fare.)


Give "tomorrow" a chance! I would suggest you hold out and wait for a DVD release (which might offer a clearer picture resolution) but it doesn't look like that's on the horizon...

After reading Sidney Sheldon's novel which this movie was based upon, I eagerly anticipated watching this mini-series on television. Of course, sometimes after reading the book, the movie doesn't live up to expectations. After watching this mini-series, I wasn't disappointed! The movie was very entertaining, well written and directed. Madolyn Smith did a wonderful job in the lead and Tom Berenger was equally charming. The chemistry between them was wonderful!

This movie is very rarely re-shown on TV and since I haven't seen the full version since the original broadcast aired in 1987, I was very disappointed to see it is no longer being produced.

Hopefully there will be enough fans out there to convince the studio to re-release it. I hope my e-mail to the studio to re-release it will help. Hopefully more reviewers will also request a re-release from the studio and they will re-release it on video and/or DVD! Until then, I will keep searching the auctions and crossing my fingers!

I read the book 15 years ago, which was intense from beginning to end, written by a great author. When I heard the movie was going to be release, I thought for sure the movie would never compare. I was obviously wrong in every way. The movie has great actors among them it's Madelyn Smith and Tom Berenger which make the move a bigger hit. I recorded this movie in 1982 and still have it except it is with commercials. You can understand how disappointing it was to me to look for it in Amazon.com and find that it is not available. I don't know what request would be the most conveincing to have this movie re-released. I would be thrilled beyond words having this movie in it's complete edited version for my collection.

Yous truly

Cecilia Marques-Perez

It`s the best movie so far that I`ve ever seen. Jerry London is a great director, I wish he would`ve made more movies like "If tomorrow comes". Movie is wonderful, I totaly fell in love with the charector. It`s very intertaning and it blows your soul away, you`re practicely living their lives. It`s a great story, I would love to buy a copy of this movie, why couldn`t this video be re-released?

If Tomorrow Comes (directed by Jerry London) is the kind of movie one can watch many times, over and over again. It has all the wonderful ingredients of a great movie: beautiful and charming heroine, great cast, interesting and intriguing plot, international scene and romance.I love to watch Tracy Whitney travel from New Orleans to New York and then to London, Verona, Paris and Amsterdam. The settings are exquisite and her gowns are beautiful too. Great choice of music scores. The dialogue is charming and witty. Great cast includes Madolyn Smith, Tom Berenger and Liam Neeson. It's a great pleasure to watch a woman who is beatiful, intelligent, charming and kind - an amazing heroine.
It's a great movie and I'm surprised that it's not available through video rentals and stores. First time I saw this movie was in the 80s in Europe and when I came to North America, I was trying to find this film andI finally found it in Amazon's zShops. It's was great to know that I can find great films through zShops that are not available through Blockbusters of the world.
This movie is based on Sidney Sheldon's book If Tomorrow Comes and he's my favorite writer. This movie is as good as his books.
I would recommend this movie to everybody to watch and enjoy like I do.

Sidney Sheldon TV mini-series from the 1980's(??).This is the story of a young woman (Smith) who is falsely accused of a jewel theft and sent to prison. While in prison she befriends the Warden's child and the Warden arranges for a early release. She meets a distinguished and urbane older man (Richard Kiley) who takes her as his protege and teaches her to be a jewel thief. She eventually meets another jewel thief (Beringer) and eventually teams up with him. Both are pursued by an insurance investigator. Not an Academy Award/Emmy winner both still a good drama with scenes shot all over Europe. I like this move so I gave it 5 stars.

I remember first watching "If tomorrow comes" on TV several years ago. I was fascinated by the exiting storyline and the strong performances by Tom Berenger and Mandy Smith. A must-see mini series!

I saw this movie about 15 years ago and I have longed to see it again ever since. I could not find it anywhere, so I read the book and that was just as riveting. I waited for years, searching t.v. guides, hoping to catch it and then record it for myself. No such luck! Maybe if everyone writes a request to the distributor they'll re-release it again! Madolyn Smith is such a quality actress. What ever happened to her career?

Sidney Sheldon is without a doubt one of the best storyteller around. His clever way of creating high-power glitter and adventure always leaves one yearning for more. The same could be said about his adaptations to the big or small screen. From The Other Side of Midnight to Master of the Game, every celluloid delivery of his work is a must-see event, just like IF TOMORROW COMES, now on VHS from StarMaker. This 318-minute treat takes you into the world of cat burglary in which the sweet and innocent bank representative, Tracy Whitney, becomes one of the most sought-after criminals of her generation. You'll have a ball watching her get out of the unimaginable, and does she; once about every 10 minutes; some are hard to swallow but they're never dull. Madolyn Smith is a joy to watch as Tracy, whether she's being abused in prison or abusing the system. Her presence adds sparks to a feisty yet stereotypical heroine. The only downside is the all-too-wooden participation of David Keith as the insurance investigator who's on Tracy's tail. His over-the-top performance makes a dent in an otherwise talented cast of characters (Liam Neeson, Tom Berrenger, Richard Kiley, CCH Pounder). Still, the ride to this glitzy gem is a hot and bumpy one. Definitely a must.-----Martin Boucher