Troubled, confused, insecure teenager Richie (a stunningly fine and moving performance by Robbie Benson) feels unloved, unwanted and alienated, so he becomes dangerously involved with drugs. His stern, abusive, overbearing father (superbly played by Ben Gazzara) and overprotective mother (the equally excellent Eileen Brennan) try to help Richie, but when conventional methods of aid prove ineffectual poor Richie's drug habit spirals out of control, thereby leading to a shocking and tragic conclusion.
Splendidly directed with great care and restraint by Paul Wendkos, with a smart, thoughtful and commendably unsentimental script by John McGreevey, slick photography by Robert B. Hauser, and a spare, melancholy score by Fred Karlin, this strong and gripping cautionary tale about the perils of drug addiction and the severe damage it can inflict on a family packs quite a devastating emotional punch. Besides addressing drug addiction with admirable acuity and matter-of-factness, this film further illustrates the damage wrought by the lack of intimacy and communication between kids and their parents. If Richie's father especially hadn't been so strict and spent more time with his son, then maybe he would have never turned to drugs to alleviate his pain and frustration. Benson and Gazzara are exceptional in their demanding parts. They receive terrific support from Lance Kerwin as Richie's concerned younger brother, Cindy Eibacher as Richie's sweet girlfriend, and Charles Fleischer and Clint Howard as two of Richie's druggie pals (peer pressure also clearly plays a substantial part in Richie's descent into substance abuse). Heartbreaking and unforgettable, "The Death of Richie" rates highly as an extremely poignant and hauntingly sad 70's made-for-TV movie classic which has lost none of its considerable potency throughout the years.
Splendidly directed with great care and restraint by Paul Wendkos, with a smart, thoughtful and commendably unsentimental script by John McGreevey, slick photography by Robert B. Hauser, and a spare, melancholy score by Fred Karlin, this strong and gripping cautionary tale about the perils of drug addiction and the severe damage it can inflict on a family packs quite a devastating emotional punch. Besides addressing drug addiction with admirable acuity and matter-of-factness, this film further illustrates the damage wrought by the lack of intimacy and communication between kids and their parents. If Richie's father especially hadn't been so strict and spent more time with his son, then maybe he would have never turned to drugs to alleviate his pain and frustration. Benson and Gazzara are exceptional in their demanding parts. They receive terrific support from Lance Kerwin as Richie's concerned younger brother, Cindy Eibacher as Richie's sweet girlfriend, and Charles Fleischer and Clint Howard as two of Richie's druggie pals (peer pressure also clearly plays a substantial part in Richie's descent into substance abuse). Heartbreaking and unforgettable, "The Death of Richie" rates highly as an extremely poignant and hauntingly sad 70's made-for-TV movie classic which has lost none of its considerable potency throughout the years.