Daytime TV plotlines comes to the movie of the week in this soap opera like drama where the death of his former lover has Tony Lo Bianco forced to tell wife Linda Lavin that he has a daughter (Tracy Gold) from that relationship. Unfortunately, the confession scene with Lavin isn't set up well, depriving the audience of the emotional build-up that just results in LoBianco asking her, "So what do you think?" when he tells her about Gold although the after reaction is a bit better. The fact that his affair occurred during a time when Lavin was trying to conceive but couldn't adds to the drama as does the anticipation of her meeting Gold.
After years of guest starring roles on various TV shows, Lavin found success with TV's "Alice", and also was popular on stage, but for some, her warmth onscreen is lacking. There's no doubt though that she's an excellent actress, but the stage roles I've seen her in didn't require the warmth she requires here, as its obvious that the writer's point of view is that you can't blame a child for the sins of the parents.
Gold's character at first is endearing even though she gives Lavin a really hard time leading to behavioral issues that creates conflict in the repairing of the marriage. Her issue with bed wetting adds a unique situation to the already busy story. This isn't helped by LoBianco's hiding from the problems which leaves Lavin debating her skill as a mother. I've rarely seen issues like this portrayed realistically onscreen because the writer seems to be utilizing a connect the dots method to the story, but that is not the case here, the film's strength.
Then there's the issue of Lavin's mother, perfectly cast with Doris Roberts. It's ironic that Roberts played Mrs. Van Daan in the TV version of "The Diary of Anne Frank" which Lavin later played with great success on Broadway. She's made to be an overbearing woman so Lavin's character can seem to be a bit softer and somehow it works. So there's plenty to keep the viewer interested but this is basically set up to be easily resolved with a bit of pathos, some crying and anger and a huge need for forgiveness. The acting all around is very good and Lavin manages to find a depth of warmth inside the difficult situation that makes her character more likeable.
After years of guest starring roles on various TV shows, Lavin found success with TV's "Alice", and also was popular on stage, but for some, her warmth onscreen is lacking. There's no doubt though that she's an excellent actress, but the stage roles I've seen her in didn't require the warmth she requires here, as its obvious that the writer's point of view is that you can't blame a child for the sins of the parents.
Gold's character at first is endearing even though she gives Lavin a really hard time leading to behavioral issues that creates conflict in the repairing of the marriage. Her issue with bed wetting adds a unique situation to the already busy story. This isn't helped by LoBianco's hiding from the problems which leaves Lavin debating her skill as a mother. I've rarely seen issues like this portrayed realistically onscreen because the writer seems to be utilizing a connect the dots method to the story, but that is not the case here, the film's strength.
Then there's the issue of Lavin's mother, perfectly cast with Doris Roberts. It's ironic that Roberts played Mrs. Van Daan in the TV version of "The Diary of Anne Frank" which Lavin later played with great success on Broadway. She's made to be an overbearing woman so Lavin's character can seem to be a bit softer and somehow it works. So there's plenty to keep the viewer interested but this is basically set up to be easily resolved with a bit of pathos, some crying and anger and a huge need for forgiveness. The acting all around is very good and Lavin manages to find a depth of warmth inside the difficult situation that makes her character more likeable.
