Children of Divorce (1980) (TV)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Joanna Lee

Writer:

Joanna Lee (writer)

Release Date:

24 November 1980 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Divorce | Child | Child's Point Of View | Dysfunctional Marriage | Family Relationships

Cast

Barbara Feldon	...	Irene Hoffman
Lance Kerwin	...	Tony Malik
Stacey Nelkin	...	Andrea Hoffman
Carmine Caridi	...	Joe Hoffman
Christopher Ciampa	...	Josh Hoffman
Olivia Cole	...	Betty Williams
Kim Fields	...	Denise Williams
Zohra Lampert	...	Mrs. Goldsmith
Greg Mullavy	...	Tom Malik
Stella Stevens	...	Sherry Malik
Fritz Weaver	...	Eli Sorenson
Billy Dee Williams	...	Walter Williams
Carmen Zapata	...	Mrs. Ruiz
Mary-Robin Redd	...	Marcia
Pamela McMyler	...	Mildred

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Christiana Productions

typical TV sudser

Granted, divorce is a major life event in many kids' lives, but it wasn't until the 70s and 80s that the high divorce rate gave rise to a heightened awareness of detrimental effects of splitting up on the kids. What we have here is an afterschool special expanded and sexed up for nighttime consumption. The story follows the break-up of several marriages and the resulting side effects on the kids, utilizing quite a few familiar faces from 70s TV (Susanne Crough, THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY'S winsome tambourine-banger Tracy, turns in a rare post-PF role). Billy Dee Williams, Barbara Feldon, Kim Fields, and Lance Kerwin all appear. As their families disintegrate, the kids react in different ways. One kid overeats, another begins failing at school. Kim Fields becomes a pre-teen alcoholic, and Lance Kerwin and a girl whose parents are also breaking up have sex and then eat Chinese food while wearing kimonos afterward! Scandel! Outrage!