Laurie O'brien Movies

Two women who don't look at all alike find out they have an unfortunate amount in common in this independent comedy drama. Lydia (Deidra Edwards) is a woman in her early thirties who lives and works in Venice Beach, CA, a place where appearance counts for a lot. Lydia is more than a little overweight, and she's a member of a "Fat Acceptance Group," a support organization where plus-sized women gather to discuss their emotional issues and their desire for the world to understand them at face value. One day, a new face appears at the group's weekly meeting -- Darcy (Staci Lawrence), a strikingly slender woman who informs the regulars that she's a recovering anorexic who wants to attend because despite her size, she still sees herself as fat. While the leader of the group rejects Darcy, Lydia strikes up a friendship with her, and as they get to know one another they come to understand their unique anxieties about their bodies. Lydia has begun a tentative romance with a stocky but likable man named Bob (Ryan C. Benson), who wants a woman who won't judge him for his girth, but when she learns he's planning to have gastric bypass surgery in a final bid to lose weight, she's afraid he'll leave her behind and makes an unusual request to Darcy -- lessons in how to become anorexic. Disfigured was the first directorial assignment for screenwriter Glenn Gers. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Prolific B-movie director Albery Byun (Dollman, Omega Doom) takes the reigns for this tale of a small town overtaken by a highly contagious alien plague on the night of the senior prom. As the local teens party their way through prom night, a meteor crashes to the earth in a small California town, rattling Lawton rancher Larry Jenkins. When Larry puts a call in to the local police, Inspector Bardo is immediately dispatched to the scene to investigate. Upon arriving on the scene, Inspector Bardo is terrified to find that a horrific alien virus has infected the unsuspecting Jenkins. Before he can react, Inspector Bardo is savagely attacked by the rampaging rancher. Now, as the two unwitting hosts make their way into Lawton while viciously attacking and contaminating everyone in their path, adolescent lovebirds Cheryl and Timmy sit perched high atop Lover's Lane completely unaware of the approaching terror. When Timmy is infected, Cheryl is left to fend for herself in the darkened forest. Perhaps if Cheryl can make it to the authorities in time, she can prevent the infection from spreading to LA. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Based on the actual events of one of the most horrific cases of child abuse ever to be documented, this haunting drama tells the tale of a young girl so severely affected by her traumatic experiences that she was unable to integrate into society after being rescued from her tormenting parents. When thirteen-year-old Katie Standon (Tarra Steele) was discovered in the early days of November 1970, the nation was shocked to learn that she had been isolated by her parents for fourteen years; spending her days in a closet wearing diapers and unable to utter a word. Assigned to social worker Sandra (Melissa Errico), Katie attempts to reintegrate herself into society, though her progress is tragically hindered by abusive Dr. Judy Bingham (Sean Young). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Ross (George Clooney) has just about given up trying to revive an 18-year-old who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on Christmas Eve, but Carter (Noah Wyle) wants to keep trying. In other ER developments, a pregnant 13-year-old must decide if she wants to keep her baby. Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Romano (Paul McCrane) have a physical confrontation after a night of escalating mutual animosity. And can it be that the "perfect" Dr. Amanda Lee (Mare Winningham) is a seriously disturbed woman? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Married for 12 years to dentist Corbin Bernsen, Markie Post comes to the sudden and startling conclusion that her husband is a murderer-many times over. While she is able to get a divorce, she is unable to pin any of the killings on Bernsen. Scott free, Post's ex threatens dire consequences for herself and her child. Federal agent Kelsey Grammer attempts to trap Bernsen into a confession; to do this, he must rely on Post to win back her former husband's confidence. Though it starts rather too pokily, the fact-based Beyond Suspicion builds steadily and craftily to its heart-pounding conclusion. Made for television, the film first aired November 22, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Another "based on fact" TV movie, Too Young to Die? stars Juliette Lewis as a benighted teenaged girl. She is married at 14, is deserted, and begins walking the streets at 15. Abused by virtually every man with whom she comes in contact (including her own father), Lewis commits murder--and finds herself on Death Row before reaching her 16th birthday. Michael Tucker is the attorney who pleads that his client not be tried as an adult. Despite all the horrendous wrongs piled upon Juliette Lewis in Too Young to Die?, her character fails to elicit audience sympathy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Photographer Lee Horsley is married to Kirstie Alley. After suffering a miscarriage, Alley treats Horsely with Fridgidaire-level coldness. He finds solace in an affair with Laurie O'Brien-who happens to be Alley's best friend. Oddly enough, this humorless domestic drama was advertised in TV Guide with all-smiles photos of its stars. Made for television, Infidelity premiered April 13, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Based on a true story, this made-for-television drama chronicles a woman's fight for justice within the legal system. John Larroquette (Night Court) stars as Douglas Forbes, a husband who is wrongly accused of being a serial rapist. Targeted by a prosecutor who is determined to put someone behind bars for the crimes, Douglas goes on trial, is convicted, and sent to jail. Refusing to give up on her husband, Douglas' determined wife Martha (Lindsay Wagner), will not rest until her husband's name is cleared of the erroneous charges and he is freed from jail. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi