Barbara Lasater Movies
A hidden well of gay-lesbian culture comes bubbling to the surface of a small Western town in this independent comedy/drama. In the Texas town of Azalea Springs, life for the most part still seems stuck in the 1950s; the women have big hair, they join the Junior League, and they don't buck the status quo. Also, homosexuality is something that just isn't talked about, so many of the townspeople are shocked when Hope House, a hospice for AIDS patients, opens in their little town. Alexandra "Alex" Stratton (Keri Jo Chapman), who is stuck in an unhappy marriage with her boorish husband Robert (Matthew S. Thompkins) and has an overbearing and prejudiced mom, Lily Talbot (Barbara Lasater), decides to volunteer at the hospice, which scandalizes most of the other ladies of the League. Alex soon discovers that her best friend from high school, Grace Miller (Teresa Garrett), is working there as a nurse; Grace recently went through a difficult divorce when her husband discovered that Grace was having an affair with one of her co-workers...who happened to be female. Alex soon finds herself looking at Grace in a new way, and friendship gives way to something much deeper. Meanwhile, Spencer (John Hallum), a very out-of-the-closet friend of Alex's, begins joking with people that homosexuality is being spread by something in the town's water supply. With Alex and Grace's affair the hot item in the town's gossip mill and newspaperman Mark (Derrick Sanders) falling in love with artist Thomas (Timothy Vahle), this witticism finds its way to many gullible ears, and fire and brimstone preacher Brother Daniel (John Addington) forms "Homo-No-Mo," a support group for gay men who want to return to the straight and narrow, so to speak. The supporting cast features Jerry Haynes, best known as "Mr. Peppermint," the host of a syndicated children's television series; he's also the father of Gibby Haynes, sometimes film actor and lead singer for the alternative rock band The Butthole Surfers. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keri Jo Chapman, Teresa Garrett, (more)
- 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
- 1992
Based on Clifford Irving's novel Trial, this 2-part TV movie is set amongst the Texas elite. Peter Strauss plays Warren Blackburn, a brilliant but discredited trial lawyer. His career seems due for redemption when judge Louise Parker (Jill Clayburgh), formerly Blackburn's bitterest foe, appoints him to defend a homeless man charged with murder. Simultaneously, Blackburn is hired to defend flashy nightclub entertainer Faye Boudreau (Beverly D'Angelo) in a separate murder trial. While investigating his clients' background, Blackburn uncovers several unsavory facts. Should he reveal what he knows and thereby risk everything -- including his life? Part one of Trial: The Price of Passion was first telecast May 3, 1992; part two was shown the following evening. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Based on a gritty, semi-autobiographical novel by author Kim Wozencraft, this crime thriller was adapted for the screen by noir novelist Pete Dexter and marked the directorial debut of producer Lili Fini Zanuck. Jennifer Jason Leigh stars as Kristen Cates, a rookie police officer recruited to partner with Jim Raynor (Jason Patric), an undercover Texas cop trying to infiltrate the criminal ring of major drug dealer Will Gaines (Gregg Allman) in the 1970s. What Kristen isn't told is that, as part of his deep cover masquerade, Jim must take drugs in order to be convincing and, unsurprisingly, has become an addict. Although this dangerous practice is not acceptable police procedure, Jim and Kristen's zealous superiors Larry Dodd (Sam Elliott) and Donald Nettle (Tony Frank) are obsessed with taking Gaines down because he has corrupted the daughter of a prominent local citizen. Jim and Kristen, who fall in love and move in together, befriend a petty car thief, Walker (Max Perlich), who has ties to Gaines. Since they both become drug addicts, Jim and Kristen's case makes little progress, until they clean up and convince Walker to turn on Gaines. Their investigation becomes tainted, however, when they are pressured from above to manufacture false evidence against their target. The soundtrack for Rushcontained the hit song "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Patric, Jennifer Jason Leigh, (more)
