filmsgraded.com: Missing Children: A Mother's Story (1982)

filmsgraded.com:
Missing Children: A Mother's Story (1982)

The story apparently takes place in the South during the late 1930s. Brat pack alumni and eventual Oscar nominee Mare Winningham stars. She plays a young mother with three young children that she can no longer provide for. She is conned by Polly Holliday (of "Flo" sitcom fame) into parting with her young'uns under a 'custodial agreement', which to Mare's unhappy surprise translates as adoption.

Enter a trio of the most obliging and cheerful lawyers known to television-land, although admittedly two of them ("Temple of Doom" love interest Kate Capshaw and "Bosum Buddies" co-star Peter Scolari) have yet to pass the bar exam. A confrontation with predictable results ensues with Holliday and her judge protector, Jane Wyatt (a.k.a. Spock's mother).

Cynical veterans of made-for-television films that are targeted to women will note that Mare's husband is the ultimate 'bad husband' stereotype. Ten minutes into the film, and he's already cheating on her, verbally and physically abusing her, threatening the kids, and stealing money from her. Of course, Mare is saintly throughout, but she is such a sweetheart that it is hard to hold it against her.

Able support is provided by Scatman Crothers, who proves to be the linchpin to Mare's inevitable court battle to regain her remotely dispatched children.

This completely obscure film has never been released on video or DVD, and has received only the faintest recognition. It was nominated for an Eddie award from the American Cinema Editors, in the category of Best Edited Television Special. Way to go, Byron 'Buzz' Brandt!

(61/100)


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