User Reviews

On a recent Biography Channel profile of Cheryl Ladd, this TV-Movie was featured prominently, including interviews with Director Hunt, partly because it instilled Ms. Ladd with a life-long crusade to prevent child abuse. I remember watching this movie when it first aired, as it starred my favorite "Angel", along with my TV Hero forever: Robert Urich. The two give great performances, however I thought the 'graphic' scenes of Ladd abusing her daughter were tame, at least from what might actually be going on behind closed doors every day in homes across America. Most of the action is verbal, with one physical incident that sends her child to hospital. Equally important are the actions and re-actions of Urich, in a performance to identify with. If you are a fan of either or both actors, this is well worth seeing.

Before Farrah Fawcett starred in the wife-abuse television film "The Burning Bed", unintentionally spawning a new genre for TV movies--glamorous actresses going gritty with serious material--another "Charlie's Angels" star, Cheryl Ladd, went dramatic; here, she's the abuser. A suburban wife and mother finds she can't control a streak of inner-rage against her little girl, sending off signals to her husband (Robert Ulrich) but not getting any answers. This glossy production means well, but it promises a lot more than it delivers. Ladd, herself a proponent against child abuse in real-life, does mediocre work and Carmen Culver's tame script is disappointingly flat (especially when compared to another TV-movie, "Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night" from 1977). Ladd was definitely not the forerunner for domestic unrest: she is coiffed, manicured, and flatteringly photographed. Perhaps she was making a point--that even upscale wives and mothers can easily spin out of control--but it doesn't lend this scenario any backbone when the lead actress looks like a million dollars.

Betina Morgan (Cheryl Ladd) appears to have a great life--a new home in the suburbs, a cute kid and a handsome husband. However, beneath the surface, she's a woman who is on the verge of cracking up. She is worried that she'll cause serious harm to her daughter but her husband isn't the least bit supportive and discourages her from getting professional help. This combined with her need for the 'perfect life' and her daughter being a bit of a brat make her very high risk to abuse the child....and Betina knows she needs help. However, she seeks help without telling her husband and is scared to tell him. And, once she does tell him, he seems to often try to undermine her in her efforts...indicating that their marital problems are incredibly serious. Will she get the help she needs or will her child end up seriously injured...or worse? And, the more you watch the film, the more it looks like it might just become 'or worse'.

This is a made for TV movie that is meant to entertain and teach the home viewers about the dangers of stress, marital discord and child abuse. And, as you watch and hear all the stress in Betina's life, you can understand much of the problem...you, too, would feel stressed in this environment! My summary was NOT intended to encourage child abuse...but with this sort of stress, ANY person could become violent unless they get help and it's easy to empathize with Betina and her many, many problems. The script did a great job in setting all this up in the film. The only big mistake I saw was the scene with the social worker (Eileen Brennan) where the social worker grabbed Betina and forced her to face her fears--this was very unprofessional and dangerous (she might have gotten herself decked). Otherwise, a very well made little film that has stood the test of time.

By the way, I saw this on YouTube and, oddly, the voices are a tiny bit higher pitched than they should be. If you aren't familiar with Ladd and Urich you might not notice that they just don't sound quite right.

This movie came out quite awhile ago but it's still relevant today. Cheryl Ladd, Robert Urich and a very little girl Nicole Eggert are the perfect and gorgeous family... at least they LOOK like they are to everyone in their town. But behind closed doors, things couldn't be more different. There were parts of the movie that were difficult to watch but they were necessary to the storyline.

Martinhafers title made me laugh because I was thinking the same as I watched the movie. The little girl was annoying.

About: A lady picks a jerk for a husband that neglects her and their daughter. The lady and husband have conflicts that then involves the daughter in a negative way.

Story: It was neat however the last parts of the movie drags and moves along real slow.

Production: it went well. They had a story to tell and told it without any irrelevant substances.

Worthiness mutts?: Almost. They mother thought a worthless mutt would make them feel bad and suggested to go to the pet store.

Moral code and moral of the story: Don't pick jerks and be a smart and productive parent. Individuals fear the illusion call loneliness so they will get hitch'd with any one and would rather feel like hash being with someone they hate than being positive living on their own.

This only creates a never ending cycle of hater individuals creating toxic families to destructive children. The never ending cycle.

This movie was created in 1979. Looking at this movie and looking at today. Nothing has changed for the better and I find that really sad. But it's expected from people.

Highlight: Teeny was a good looking 70s girl.

Main Intelligence: 3. 3 because she picked a boy to raise a family.

Unworthiness level: 1.

Should you watch this?: Yea. People who can relate to living in a broken home may catch feelings for this product and enjoy it.

If you came from a spoiled home or was born with a golden spoon in your mouth then you might find this movie boring because you will be incapable of relating or sympathizimg with people who live toxic lives due to toxic parents and or social status which may or may not be their fault.