Beth Grossbard Movies
Made for television, The Christmas Blessing is a sequel to the earlier CBS holiday offering The Christmas Shoes, with Rob Lowe briefly reprising his portrayal of Robert Layton, a lawyer whose life was forever changed by a pair of "enchanted" shoes. This time around, the shoes have passed into the hands of Tucker Bennett (Shaun Johnston), the son of a seriously ill youngster named Charlie (Angus T. Jones. As fate would have it, Charlie is a student of schoolteacher Meghan (Rebecca Gayheart), who is endeavoring to set up a day-care center for single moms in the small town where she lives. At the same time in the same town, young medical resident Nathan Andrews (Neil Patrick Harris), his self-confidence shattered by the death of a teenage patient on the operating table, has returned home to work in the garage owned by his dad Jack (Shaun Johnston). In due course, Nathan meets Meghan and Charlie, and becomes intimately involved in the trials and tribulations of both, leading to an emotional climax in which Nathan must decide whether or not to summon his dormant medical skills to save Charlie's life. Singers NewSong and Blake Shelton appear as themselves, respectively performing the title song and the new composition "Nobody But Me". The Christmas Blessing originally aired on December 18, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neil Patrick Harris, Rebecca Gayheart, (more)
Originally titled American Meltdown, this speculative made-for-cable melodrama begins as a group of six terrorists, bearing names like Khalid, Shafig, and Ziad, take over a nuclear power plant in San Juan. It turns out that the terrorists' actions are merely symbolic, and that no real harm is intended -- but things get tragically out of control, and soon the military and the government are in full spin mode to gloss over and wash their hands of a deadly nuclear meltdown that threatens to destroy everything within driving distance of the plant. In a virtual reprise of his characterization in the TV series 24, Arnold Vosloo portrays the head of the terrorists, who are more "home grown" than anyone is willing to admit. The film is shot in a punchy, fast-cut, hand-held "breaking news" style, alternating dizzily between color and black-and-white to give it a documentary feel. Meltdown was presented by the FX cable channel on June 6, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Greenwood, Leslie Hope, (more)
This sentimental made-for-TV drama was based on the bestselling novel by Donna VanLiere, which in turn was inspired by the popular song of the same name. Rob Lowe stars as Robert Layton, a workaholic attorney who sorely neglects his family, even during the Christmas season. Clearly, Layton is overdue for a "humanizing" treatment, which comes in the form of a little boy named Nathan Andrews (Max Morrow). Learning that his mother, Maggie (Kimberly Williams), is dying from congenital heart failure, and unable to financially rely upon his underemployed father, Jack (Hugh Thompson), Nathan goes about collecting tin cans and other throwaways so that he can afford an expensive pair of red shoes for his ailing mom. Nathan's plight not only touches Layton, but also has a heartwarming trickle-down effect on the lawyer's estranged family. The Christmas Shoes debuted December 1, 2002, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rob Lowe, Kimberly Williams, (more)
As the result of a freak accident, Jay Berman (Barclay Hope) lies comatose in a hospital bed. Despite the admonitions of friends, family members and medical experts, Jay's steadfast wife, Lainey (Rebecca De Mornay), and the couple's young daughters refuse to accept the negative prognosis that Jay will never snap out of his coma, tenaciously holding on to the faint hope that he will somehow revive before the Christmas holidays. During her long vigil in the hospital, Lainey befriends Ted Merrick (Henry Czerny), whose own wife is in an irreversible coma, and whose response to the tragedy provides a startling contrast to Lainey's unswerving faith. Meanwhile, Lainey's loyal best friend, Alice (Melanie Mayron), experiences marital strife of a different variety as she tries to keep the Berman family's spirits up. Adapted from a novel by former nurse Elizabeth Berg, the made-for-cable Range of Motion was shown over the Lifetime network on December 4, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Spinsterish New England college professor Gwen Barry (Frances Fisher) takes advantage of a prison work furlough program by hiring soon-to-be-released convict Dalton Roy (Derwin Jordan) as a handyman. As time goes by, Gwen falls in love with Dalton, and he reciprocates. Upon his release, however, Dalton breaks off with Gwen in favor of a sweetheart closer to his own age, college student Tamara (Kandyse McClure). But by now, Gwen's affection has morphed into an unhealthy obsession, and she is fully willing to destroy Dalton rather than see him slip through her fingers. Filmed in Nova Scotia, the made-for-cable Passion and Prejudice debuted April 17, 2001 on the USA network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frances Fisher, Derwin Jordan, (more)
This made-for-TV shocker was inspired by a true story which occurred in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Housewife Jessica Rayner (Joanne Kerns) becomes the latest in a long line of victims when she is attacked in her own home by a vicious serial rapist and murderer who preys on blondes. The difference is that Jessica manages to survive the attack--the first victim to do so. Despite Jessica's testimony and a trail of clues, the police seem incapable of tracking down her assailant, forcing Jessica's husband Dan (Anthony John Denison) to militantly guard his wife round the clock. But it is ultimately Jessica herself who must devise the trap that will bring her attacker to justice. No One Could Protect Her debuted February 11, 1996 on ABC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joanna Kerns, Anthony John Denison, (more)
