If there were ever two actors who never got the credit they deserved, it is Powers Boothe and Susan Blakely. I write to famous people as a hobby and Susan Blakely was kind enough to send me an autographed photo. Powers Boothe won an Emmy for his first starring role in the 1980 TV film Guyana Tragedy: The Story Of Jim Jones. Yet his career has never really taken off like it should have after such a great start. He proves in this film that his Emmy was no fluke. He and Susan Blakely are two addicts who fall in love. They are basically wonderful people you feel sorry for because they have terrible problems. Susan is such a great actress that in some scenes you swear that she really is "wired". This is a film about how love can heal and the final scene where Blakely forces Boothe to admit his addiction is the most memorable. They both really go for broke and it is gut wrenching to watch. This film isn't available on video and is only shown on tv once in a blue moon. Watch it if you get a chance!
3 Reviews
What she needs is a sober reason to live.
mark.waltz24 November 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A career isn't everything for some people. In fact, when they become successful, they become bored with it and begin to either underperform, slack or act out. For successful radio host Ronee Blakely, that's exactly what she finds as her husband leaves her, her career begins to get on her nerves and everything in her world starts to turn completely upside down. Along comes three time divorcee and alcoholic Powers Boothe who is probably the only one strong enough to tell her the truth without just putting her down.
Blakely can't count on her friends, her children or even her boss, Herb Edelman (completely different than his role on "Golden Girls"), and when her life begins to truly turn upside down, only Boothe has the courage to tell her the truth, especially when his life spirals down to the bottom. This takes the drug and alcohol addiction from "Valley of the Dolls" way to the extreme, and it is very depressing and intense. Still very well-acted, but it's often difficult to watch because you really feel like you are looking in on someone's life where you shouldn't be looking and that rawness is tough to watch. A good cast and a realistic script still doesn't hide the fact that this is life that isn't entertaining to see but probably necessary for the serious issues that it deals with in a way that is a very hard slap in the face.
Blakely can't count on her friends, her children or even her boss, Herb Edelman (completely different than his role on "Golden Girls"), and when her life begins to truly turn upside down, only Boothe has the courage to tell her the truth, especially when his life spirals down to the bottom. This takes the drug and alcohol addiction from "Valley of the Dolls" way to the extreme, and it is very depressing and intense. Still very well-acted, but it's often difficult to watch because you really feel like you are looking in on someone's life where you shouldn't be looking and that rawness is tough to watch. A good cast and a realistic script still doesn't hide the fact that this is life that isn't entertaining to see but probably necessary for the serious issues that it deals with in a way that is a very hard slap in the face.
A True Piece of Art
HailMary6 May 2000
The first TV series in over 10 years that I could bare. The show lasted a short time, but the memories of it last forever. I think it really showed a more sophisticated plot line and superb actors who do really great jobs. Do yourself a favor, find this show in your local listings in repeats, and watch it!
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