Product Details

• Actors: Bonnie Bedelia, Bruce Davison, Dan Hedaya, Marc Donato, Bill Switzer
• Directors: Bruce Pittman
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
• Language: English
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Showtime Ent.
• VHS Release Date: July 18, 2000
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00004TJJT
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,030 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

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  Video > Drama > Family Life > Mothers & Sons

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

A shy 9-year-old farm boy in rural America, Stephen Cline is walking near his house and happens upon the fresh scene of a crime. His older brother is apparently involved and is immediately suspected by the local sheriff, but young Stephen covers for him. And soon Stephen, apparently traumatized, refuses to speak at all. His family is puzzled, his mother cares enough to take him to visit psychiatrists, yet somehow no one ever makes the connection between the recent tragic news in the neighborhood and Stephen's total aversion to talking. Even at school, Stephen's refusal to talk is somehow taken in stride by both teachers and students.

Despite some glaring flaws in logic and other puzzling aspects to the plot (which is said to be based on a true story), there are some commendable aspects to this film. Bonnie Bedelia turns in a credible performance as Stephen's aching mother, and Dan Hedaya strikes the right notes as a stern but helpful psychiatrist. Young Marc Donato has a very expressive face and curly hair, and while he occasionally resembles a juvenile Harpo Marx, he is able to generate both pathos and mirth. But despite performances that make the family tension at the heart of the story seem realistic, the story itself doesn't always live up to the individual performances. --Robert J. McNamara

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fooled by box into seeing a great movie., August 10, 2000

By	gametime (Nebraska USA) - See all my reviews

I rented this movie to see a story about a child and a murder. It is there, but wrapped around the story is the dysfunctional family and the stress of a normal shy boy who suddenly quits talking. Great show and a movie experience that I can say I am glad to have seen with my wife.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the silent adventures of afro child, May 26, 2004

By A Customer

holy SMOKESSSSS!!!!!!! what a tale! what a truely unique adventure! not only does it wisp us away into a world of silence but into a world of little kids who can't talk!!! the child's "afro" reminded me of the many tangles and turmoils of life. but his sweet innocent "face" reasured me that all was well. this movie pointed out the ultimate truth more accurately than any of its kind- namely that nothing draws a family closer than a murdering police officer. nine thumbs up!!! may this movie be forever "locked" in our hearts.