Does PCP ever fully leave the body, or just alter the brain so it causes unpredictable behaviors? That's what loving parents Jean Stapleton and Arthur Hill need to discover about son John Putch in this serious drama where he smokes a joint laced with PCP and has a break down which changes the family's lives completely. Stapleton and Hill have different ways of dealing with the crisis, and mom Jean finds it's difficult keeping her career going while dealing with this family crisis. Hill's reaction causes problems that seem irreparable in the marriage even though that is a very subtle subplot (but an understandable one) of the film.
Putch (Stapleton's real life son) is chilling as the victim of one of the worst party drugs ever, and Stapleton and Hill are equally brilliant as the troubled parents. Helen Hunt, a future superstar, shows great potential as the younger sister. I am really surprised that this did not garner any Emmy nominations because it is brilliant in every way, so true to life and very scary. It shows how even this most seemingly happy of families and all of a sudden be thrust into crisis.
The horror in Stapleton's eyes seems genuinely more scary because it is her son acting out the issue, and she is not just your typical concerns mother. She really plays the part and make you forget about her sitcom TV and musical comedy past. Hill adds a ton of dimensions to the father, and a scene where the two of them discuss how their careers are being affected by this indicates a reality that many families will identify with when crisis like this hits. Truly shear perfection in every way that at times will have you wiping your eyes as the emotions of the situation hits.
Putch (Stapleton's real life son) is chilling as the victim of one of the worst party drugs ever, and Stapleton and Hill are equally brilliant as the troubled parents. Helen Hunt, a future superstar, shows great potential as the younger sister. I am really surprised that this did not garner any Emmy nominations because it is brilliant in every way, so true to life and very scary. It shows how even this most seemingly happy of families and all of a sudden be thrust into crisis.
The horror in Stapleton's eyes seems genuinely more scary because it is her son acting out the issue, and she is not just your typical concerns mother. She really plays the part and make you forget about her sitcom TV and musical comedy past. Hill adds a ton of dimensions to the father, and a scene where the two of them discuss how their careers are being affected by this indicates a reality that many families will identify with when crisis like this hits. Truly shear perfection in every way that at times will have you wiping your eyes as the emotions of the situation hits.