Cynthia Dorn Movies
Kirk Davis' debut feature Screen Door Jesus charts the uproar that breaks out when the image of Christ appears on a screen door in a small Texas town called Bethlehem. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This fact-based TV movie takes place in Richmond, Virginia, the home of single mother Jody Shaffell (Valerie Bertinelli). Appalled by the fact that Jody has come out of the closet and is living in an openly gay relationship with her female lover, Jody's mother Nancy (Vanessa Redgrave) sues to gain custody of her grandson Zachary (Adam Rehman). A homophobic judge arranges for Zachary to be taken out of Jody's home, whereupon Nancy sets about to thoroughly wipe her grandson's memory clean of his previous "immoral" lifestyle--even unto demanding that the boy refer to her as Momma. The film's script is careful to weigh both sides of the argument equally, demonstrating that for most of her life, Jody was hardly a paragon of responsible motherhood, having supped full of booze and promiscuity before realizing she was gay and promptly cleaning herself up; nor is Nancy depicted as a cold-hearted villain, merely a concerned grandmother who wants what she thinks is best for Zachary. Indeed, if there are truly any "heavies" in the piece, they are the best friend and brother of the beleagured Jody, who callously testify against her in court. Originally seen over the ABC network, Two Mothers for Zachary debuted September 22, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Made for television, The Unspoken Truth is the factual story of Brianne Hawkins (Lea Thompson), who after enduring a lifetime of abuse at the hands of her family marries the even more abusive Clay Hawkins (James Marshall). Given to beating his wife at the slightest provocation, Clay finally goes completely over the edge when he shoots and kills a man who had the temerity to speak to Brianne without Clay's permission. Thinking quickly for a change, Clay persuades Brianne to take the rap for the killing, whereupon she complicity (if not willingly) concocts an elaborate story as to how she shot the man accidentally. Not only do the authorities refuse to swallow this fabrication, but they end up sending both Clay and Brianne to prison for life! Only when the future of her daughter, Lily (Karis Paige Bryant), is jeopardized does the long-suffering Brianne finally work up the courage to fight for her freedom and her long-denied fundamental rights as a human being. A shocking mid-film revelation elevates this story from the usual battered-wife TV-movie syndrome. Filmed on location in Austin, TX, The Unspoken Truth originally aired September 24, 1995, on NBC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lea Thompson, Patricia Kalember, (more)
- 1995
- R
Kim Delaney stars as a woman on the rebound in this made-for-television movie. Delaney stars as Maggie, a woman who just broke up with her boyfriend. She gets involved with a handsome stranger named Roy (Jack Scalia), knowing little about his past. She gets more than she bargained for though, and she soon learns about Roy's darker side. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kim Delaney, Jack Scalia, (more)
- 1994
Creative casting sets this made-for-television movie slightly ahead of the pack, despite the somewhat familiar story found often in 1980s tough love movies. Jennie Garth stars as Laura Mills, an apathetic teen who's more of an aggravation to her parents than genuine threat. After some stern warnings prove fruitless and culminate with a drunk-driving accident, Laura's tired parents (Jill Eikenberry, Tom Irwin) send her off to a teen psychiatric center for some counseling. Soon after her arrival, Laura finds herself amongst drugged and restrained kids, admitted only for the value of their health insurance coverage. Paul Sorvino is effective as the cold hospital director and Helen Shaver is endearing in her small but memorable role as teen advocate. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jennie Garth, Jill Eikenberry, (more)
- 1993
Based on a true story, the made-for-TV Fugitive Among Us stars Peter Strauss and Eric Roberts. Strauss plays Max Cole, a police detective obsessed with tracking down a rapist. Cal Harper (Roberts), who is as outgoing and uninhibited as Cole is buttoned-up and repressed, is the number-one suspect. After a two-year pursuit across the Southwest, Cole is close to cornering his quarry--at great personal and emotional expense. Suddenly he is seized with the notion that Harper may not be the man he's looking for, sparking yet another deluge of angst. Full of surprising plot twists and offbeat characterizations, Fugitive Among Us debuted February 4, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
When a poor waitress shoots her abusive husband, she is forced to battle the courts for custody of her children while waiting for a verdict on her trial for murder of her husband. Based on a true story, it does a credible job in the depiction of the abusive relationship but some of the impact is diminished when the film moralizes that the husband's latent homosexuality was the cause or as culpable as the physical abuse he inflicted upon his wife. ~ Tana Hobart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Susan Dey, Chris Cooper, (more)
- 1991
- R
Bud Yorkin's comedy stars Jeff Daniels as a former big-leaguer who yearns for romance, but finds himself overwhelmed with the problems of the women in his life. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Daniels, Judith Ivey, (more)
