The television scene in the 80's had some of their defining moments, such as "The Day After" and "An Early Frost," but there was not a more powerful film as "Something About Amelia." The Bennett's, from all appearances, look like the typical American family. However, things are not what is seems: Amelia (A strong performance by Roxanne Zal) has been sexually abused by her father, Steven(Ted Danson) for a long time. It's not until she notices that her sister is about to become his next victim that Amelia lets out her secret. The effects are devastating, from the feelings of anger and betrayal from the mother, Gail(Glenn Close) , to the denials from the very sister she was trying to protect. Gail is at first protective of her husband, but her position is painfully clear: She must protect her daughter from her own husband, who not only molested their daughter, but have betrayed her in the process. There are 2 scenes to note in the film: When Gail confronts her husband about what he has done to the family and her, it is so full of emotion that you can feel the pain from every word that Gail spits at him. Finally, when Steven talks to Amelia during a therapy session, you see the conflict within Amelia: this is her father, the authority figure of the home who has betrayed her in the most vile way.
There is no resolution in the film. There is no way that such an incident can be resolved, because the damage of the incident is forever, and nothing can ever be the same. Amelia can never fully heal from what was done to her. Her sister, Beth, must live with the fact that her father may have had plans to molest her. Gail must live with the betrayal that her husband had committed, and Steven must live with the damage that he created.
One of the first films to deal with incest, it covers the process of how this issue is dealt with, from the involvement of law enforcement, to the therapy process. The performances are raw, especially Ted Danson, who is MANY degrees from Sam Malone on "Cheers," and Roxanne Zal, who won a deserved Emmy for her performance.
There is no resolution in the film. There is no way that such an incident can be resolved, because the damage of the incident is forever, and nothing can ever be the same. Amelia can never fully heal from what was done to her. Her sister, Beth, must live with the fact that her father may have had plans to molest her. Gail must live with the betrayal that her husband had committed, and Steven must live with the damage that he created.
One of the first films to deal with incest, it covers the process of how this issue is dealt with, from the involvement of law enforcement, to the therapy process. The performances are raw, especially Ted Danson, who is MANY degrees from Sam Malone on "Cheers," and Roxanne Zal, who won a deserved Emmy for her performance.