Maryann Plunkett Movies
- 2008
One couple's stormy relationship is examined out of chronological order in this drama written and directed by Jay DiPietro, adapted from his play. Peter (Jason Ritter) and Vandy (Jess Weixler) meet when both are college students; they fall in love and live together for a while, but on a certain fundamental level they're never fully comfortable with one another, and eventually they go their separate ways. But rather than tell their story from beginning to end, Peter and Vandy jumps back and forth in time, with the couple midway through their romance before we've seen their first date. DiPietro allows us to see how the flaws in their relationship -- Peter's discomfort around Vandy and their habit of bickering about petty things -- were present at the beginning, lurking around the corner even in their happiest moments. Peter and Vandy received its world premiere at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Ritter, Jess Weixler, (more)
A man whose life has been touched by tragic illness is drawn into the life of another victim whose story has an unsettling twist in this drama. Gabriel Noone (Robin Williams) is a radio talk show host who has developed a loyal following for his deeply personal on-air monologues, many of which deal with his relationship with his companion Jess (Bobby Cannavale), who is HIV-positive and struggling with his health. When Jess' condition improves, he surprises Gabriel by announcing he needs his space and has decided to break up with him. Gabriel is shaken and feels creatively blocked until Ashe (Joe Morton), a friend in the publishing business, gives him an advance copy of a memoir by Pete Logand (Rory Culkin), a 14-year-old boy living with AIDS. Pete's book is a harrowing memoir of a childhood fraught with abuse of all sorts meted out at the hands of his parents, and Gabriel is deeply moved by his story. One night, Gabriel gets a phone call from Pete, who claims to be a big fan of his radio show, but the call is cut off by Donna (Toni Collette), Pete's stern and protective stepmother. While Gabriel admires Pete's book, he begins to question its veracity, and with the help of Anna (Sandra Oh) tries to research the facts behind the story. As he uncovers more loose ends, Gabriel begins to suspect that Pete isn't the true author of the work, and that Donna has created his terrible past in the name of literary celebrity. The Night Listener was adapted from the novel by Armistead Maupin. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robin Williams, Toni Collette, (more)
- 2002
The detectives turn up some truly baffling "clues" while investigating the disappearance of a young woman. It turns out that the missing party, a political aide, was romantically involved with her married employer, state official Ted Weldon (Brian Kerwin). The key to the solution may hinge upon a forged signature -- or, perhaps, the testimony of Mrs. Weldon (Maryann Plunkett). The similarities between this episode and the Gary Condit/Chandra Levy affair prompted Condit's wife to demand an apology from the producers of Law & Order. (For the record, no such apology was issued.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Could the death of a 12-year-old quadriplegic, who suffocated in his own home, have been deliberate? The suspects range from the dead boy's parents to his older sister. Once revealed, the perpetrator claims to have been an angel of mercy -- a statement which might actually be a smokescreen for a "thrill killing." Telecast April 24, 1998, "Burden" was one of the few Law & Order episodes to be seen on a Friday evening, rather than its customary mid-week time slot. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
American filmmaker Lodge Kerrigan (Clean, Shaven) directed this French production, set in New York. Dublin native Claire (Katrin Cartlidge of Naked and Career Girls) is a New York prostitute constantly working to eliminate her debt to menacing Roland Cain (Colm Meaney), who's known her since she was a child. After the death of her mother, Claire sets out to unleash her pent-up feelings and gain control of her life. She meets a guy in a bar and has sex, is befriended by calm cabbie Elton (Vincent D'Onofrio), visits her Newark cousin, plays with her niece, and eventually tells Elton that she wants to have a baby. Atonal score by Ahrin Mishan and Simon Fisher. Shown in competition at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Katrin Cartlidge, Vincent D'Onofrio, (more)
- 1996
Several people are senselessly murdered at a clothing store. Investigating detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) end up arresting James Smith (Denis O'Hare), a schizophrenic who hasn't been taking his medication. Unfortunately for the D.A.'s office, Smith turns out to be a lawyer -- and an unusually clever one, as he proves when he defends himself in court. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
The academic world proves as lethal as the "real" world during a controversy over naming the next headmaster at Cabot Cove's prep school. Throughout the process, the school and its principal rival play a number of traditional pranks on one another, presumably in the spirit of good sportsmanship. But when a professor is murdered, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) takes time off of her lecture duties at the school to put and end to the so-called "fun and games." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Deception: A Mother's Secret premiered as a made-for-TV effort during Thanksgiving week, 1991. There's little reason for leading man Steven Weber to offer thanks for the events which transpire in this heavy-going soap opera. Upon the death of his wife, Weber discovers that his entire marital relationship was founded on lies. In particular, he learns that even his young son has an unsavory past--and that Weber may have to give up his child to strangers before long. Though not indicated by the title or the ad campaign, Deception: A Mother's Secret is at base the story of a single father's right to adopt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Weber, Katherine Helmond, (more)
- 1991
Five years after investigating the inexplicably abandoned colony Tartiannen Three, several members of the away team are mysteriously seized with the urge to return to the deserted outpost. Joining forces with Geordi, Lt. Cmdr. Susanna Leitjen (Maryann Plunkett), who led the first investigation of Tartiannen Three, sets out to retrieve the wayward away team. Geordi is attacked by a deadly parasite, which threatens to transform him into alien creature. First telecast March 30, 1991, the Emmy-nominated "Identity Crisis" was scripted by Brannon Braga, from a story by Timothy De Haas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
