(1996 TV Movie)

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4/10
The Personification Of The TVM
Theo Robertson22 July 2004
Why do do TV companies insist on churning out these fem friendly disease of the week TVMs ? It`s easily explained . Imagine a fourty something woman zapping through the channels trying to find something to watch after a hard days work . What`s on ? HAMBURGER HILL - A Vietnam war film . PLATOON - A Vietnam war film . FULL METAL JACKET - A Vietnam war film . BLACK HAWK DOWN - A movie not set in Vietnam and yes it`s a war film . So Mrs fourty something comes to the conclusion that unless you like seeing human beings kill one another there`s no point in subscribing to movie channels so therefore TV companies contribute to a very real market of movies where the main protagonist is female

And I couldn`t help thinking SUDDENLY is the most typical of these type of TVMs . Kirstie Alley plays Marty a woman who works in a diner and is just too sassy and fun loving to be true . You do get the impression that if she was miserable and introverted destiny would bless her with good health and a long life but as with all these other type of movies produced by TV companies bad things happen to nice women and she finds herself facing eternity in a wheelchair

As you can imagine SUDDENLY plays out like you`d expect it to . There`s a lot of bitterness from Marty , a romantic subplot , a really cute dog ( Though thankfully the romance doesn`t involve the dog ) and a lecture on how to enjoy sex if you`re a paraplegic . I do have to admit BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY was much better but then again I`m a male who likes Vietnam war movies
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touching
dtucker8628 September 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Its wonderful when Hollywood tries to make a sensitive film about people with handicaps and how they overcome them. I always think of the classic film about our nation's most famous handicapped person President Roosevelt Sunrise At Campbello. Kirstie Alley gives a wonderful touching performance in Suddenly as Marty a spunky, free-spirited waitress who is like a small town girl with stars in her eyes. She is hit by a car and instantly her life is forever changed as she is confined to a wheelchair. Kirstie is an amazing actress who really brought Marty to life for me. She is funny and sad and touching all at once as she struggles to accept the horrible hand that fate has dealt her. There is one scene I remember where she breaks down and cries as she realizes that she will never walk again and have to wear a diaper like a baby. The guy who plays the handicapped man she eventually falls in love with is very good as well and there is real chemistry between them, however Kirstie rules and she is the one who makes this film worthwhile for me. People unfairly stereotype her as the "bar belle" on Cheers. They look at her and they say "Oh she is the one who took Shelly Long's place". First of all, she is ten times the actress that Shelly Long was and second of all she has proven her mettle in so many other roles be it comedy (Look Who's Talking) or drama like this fine film. Not to be a spoiler, but this film has a really touching ending. Yes Kirstie and him and still in their wheelchairs but they have a happy life with love and peace.
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2/10
Amazingly Bad
sophiekateelliott16 June 2001
I was bored and I thought that watching a mid-afternoon TV movie would be a good time-waster. I was wrong. It was the worst thing I've done all week.

I'm usually very liberal with movies. I tend to see the good side of a movie. If a movie has no plot, I'll probably recognize that the acting was good. The 1996 movie (if you can call it a movie) 'Suddenly' had basically no good side.

Firstly, Kirstie Alley starred in it. This is where alarm bells went off in my head and then I thought, well how bad can it possibly be?

The answer: Amazingly bad. I'm sorry for the 3 people out there who think that Kirstie Alley can act, but in my opinion she should stick stuff like the comedy TV series "Veronica's Closet" (which began a few years after this movie - I guess she got wiser as she got older, huh) etc. She is absolutely awful, as she plays a paraplegic in this movie. Everything she does is a joke and you can see the director cringing and yelling 'cut', the scene finishing, and her getting up off the floor where she is supposed to be acting paralyzed and ordering another cup of coffee. With even mildly decent acting, you shouldn't look at the actors and think that the producer must have been REALLY desperate to cast them.

Anyway, I'm sorry, I am rambling, but for you sake, don't ever watch this movie. I rate it a 2 out of 10, and thats only because it had a couple of good characters. This movie ain't worth seeing, even if your really bored.

By the way, Kirstie Alley has dyed BRIGHT YELLOW hair. I suppose that was all I needed to say!
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1/10
absolutely abysmal
Pfyre20 September 2005
I'll admit I was fairly desperate to see this made for TV movie because it was an opportunity to see David Beecroft in another role. I had to beg a friend to record from WE because I don't get that channel locally.

You know what they say about "Be careful what you wish for"?

Other than an opportunity to see David Beecroft in a role I can't think of anything worth watching this film for. I had once thought that Kirstie could act but she has become a caricature of herself as time goes on. And whoever thought that bleached yellow blonde hair worked for her and/or her character needs to have his or her eyes checked.

*shudder* My advice is when faced with the choice of this movie and watching a TV test pattern - choose the test pattern - at least it is less painful to experience.
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7/10
Enjoyable film
estert26 April 2005
I don't know -- have folks misplaced their hearts or what? Okay, it wasn't the most perfectly produced movie in the world - but, I'm sorry, I found it inspirational. I have a few health issues myself, and this film helped me to appreciate what I do have now - it's amazing what your mind can talk you into sometimes....

Kirstie Alley did a wonderful job -- she must have really worked hard to have been able to maneuver the wheel chair as she did, and the emotions she tapped into touched me. "Joe" did an excellent job, as well, as did "Bob" and the rest of the cast - the pathos in this film did find its way into my tear ducts.

I guess it can all depend on your mood. If you're in the mood to pick apart the aesthetics or production (i.e. stay in your head), then best forget it - but if you're heart's open (this is a beautiful idea/story), why not go for the ride...
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9/10
good dramatic movie
ladydeb-19 June 2006
I am not a huge Kristie Alley fan, but I truly enjoyed this movie, as a nurse myself, it was very realistic. I totally enjoyed it.I really was able to identify with Kirstie's character. I really wish this film had gotten more attention. She is a great actress and the fact that she hails from Kansas is all the more better. The African-American friend that trusted her with his dog did a great job. I really felt his hardship.I do wish the movie could have dove further into her life as a waitress/lover before this tragic accident happens. This movie is so different from usual "Alley films,TV, things, but It is very much worth watching!I really enjoy her in Look Who is Talking movies, but I would buy this also. I do want to TiVo it, or buy it! Thank you- Debbie
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8/10
Worth a watch
lm215 October 2004
I watched this movie one day when i had nothing else to do and was very glad i did in fact watch. Admittedly when you watch it you're wanting to yell 'be positive' but then you imagine yourself in a similar situation and realize maybe you would act the same.

I had no problems with the acting, and liked the 'hero' of the movie as i think his character was very likable. Was a different personality than i have been used to for the 'heroine' as i have watched her in many other movies before, but i think she pulled it off well, better than others might of imagine.

The plot line was predictable, and it was a happily ever after ending, and someone wanting a light, simple movie to watch i recommend it.
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9/10
Great movie
t-w-van-berkum24 July 2003
Really a great movie with a story that you won't found again. The story is original an the head-characters (Marty and Joe) are both in a wheelchair. I didn't ever see a romantic movie about two persons in a wheelchair, really great. The story is dramatic, is takes some feeling to see the problems and to understand what she is going through.

I have seen this movie for the first on television, I taped it, and I have seen it a couple times since.

I know what I am going to do this evening, see this great movie again!!!

(I am sorry for my spelling and my English, I am not used to write in this language, but i think i am learning)
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8/10
An emotional and traumatic journey faced by a brave and angry woman.
gloryb-229 April 2007
At the beginning this movie screamed B Grade at me but as I got into it I was pleasantly surprised, shocked, saddened and uplifted by the characters and the story line. Kirstie's portrayal was brilliant and believable. The message in the film was a powerful one for all of us who face adversity in our lives and gave some insight into the long physical and emotional road any one of us could "suddenly" face to get our lives back on track and how friends and family are a huge part of that process.I found this movie to be inspirational for anyone in any situation which requires strength, willpower and sheer guts and determination.
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i liked this..
starlette11222 July 2003
i probably liked this because im kirsties biggest fan so even if she does something not so fabulous i'll say that it is. but i pick out her good and bad points in everything bc i so know what shes capable of lol. ive been following her since i was like 2..and now im 16 so im the only opinion you need to listen to guys lol.but honestly i thought it was good. not AMAZING like some of her other work. but good. her preformance was pretty emotional and real i thought i mean jesus that other person that commented on here was off base.the story is pretty simple and sad and kirstie is through the whole movie just dealing with the fact that she cant walk again and she does a good job. that other comment was harsh lol it was good. if you see it on watch.
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10/10
Hello!!!!
james-14803 January 2006
Well honestly I have not seen the movie, but I want to because I am in it. I have a small 10 second part in it that I am dying to see. If there is anyone out there at all that has a video of this or a DVD please let me know, as its my only appearance in a movie/TV movie, and I would like it for my resume.

Thank you VERY Much!!! James

Please see my e-mail address in my name here as the Submit person. Also I have heard that this movie is really good as my mother actually saw it on TV one day out of the blue. However I was not around, and by the time she knew it was me on screen it was to late to record it.:) But she said the movie was really good. So please see it:)
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10/10
Deep and touching movie
lencik_9017 February 2007
I've seen this movie lot's of times, since the first time i saw it. And I think, that it is very interesting and useful. If you think, that your life isn't perfect and amazing - watch this film - it will help you to understand the happiness of your life.

I like Kirstie Alley. She's good actress but I think, that you shouldn't enough talent to play in comedy, and Kirstie's personality is better opened in dramatic and deep movies like "Suddenly". And in this film Kirstie showed her wonderful actor talent. She is really serious actress.

"Suddenly" shows that you should never be in desperate, even if you think that your life is over. Who can imagine, that life in a wheelchair can be happy and lucky? Marty Doyle showed to everybody, that it is possible to have normal human life in this situation.

People, we should watch such films!
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