Shattered Dreams (1990)

Charlotte marries John. Things seem ok; John has a good job and he's going up in the world, working for the government. But every so often he loses his temper and Charlotte gets the brunt ... See full summary »

Director:

Robert Iscove

Writers:

Charlotte Fedders (book), Laura Elliott (book),

Stars:

Lindsay Wagner, Michael Nouri, Georgann Johnson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lindsay Wagner	...	Charlotte Fedders
Michael Nouri	...	John Fedders
Georgann Johnson	...	Helen O'Donnell
James Karen	...	Charles O'Donnell
Ken Jenkins	...	Hal Witt
Irene Miracle	...	Elaine
Stan Ivar	...	Bryan Renehan
Bryan Clark	...	Martin Ellis
Tom Dahlgren	...	Judge McAuliffe
Jay R. Ferguson	...	Teenage Luke (as Jay Ferguson)
Patricia Heaton	...	Older Dotti
Marilyn Rockafellow	...	Ellen O'Hare
Tim Ahern	...	Kevin
Russ Anderson	...	Wilkes
Bud Anthony	...	SEC Interviewer

Storyline

Charlotte marries John. Things seem ok; John has a good job and he's going up in the world, working for the government. But every so often he loses his temper and Charlotte gets the brunt of his anger. During the 18 year course of their marriage, there are at least 8 incidents of physical abuse and countless of mental. Charlotte's family and friends tell her to leave John but she keeps going back, most likely because he has convinced her that she would be nothing without him. It finally explodes in a big divorce battle balancing on the cases of abuse.

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Plot Keywords:

domestic violence | marital abuse | abusive husband | based on book

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Taglines:

She Discovered a Stranger in the House... Her Husband.

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 May 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

L'homme que je croyais épouser

Company Credits

Production Co:

Carolco Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Would a prominent, intelligent man commit physical abuse against his wife of 16 years?

Apparently so. As Lindsay Wagner portrays Charlotte Fedders, former wife of D.C. attorney John Fedders, who rose to prominence in the 1980's as an SEC lawyer.

While the subject is not a novel one, this is a well-presented true case study. And we should all take offense at people who critique Charlotte Fedders, saying it is her fault, etc. Perhaps she felt she had no options. With 5 young children to support in the 1970's a woman's career options were not exactly promising.

Michael Nouri is quite believable as the narcissistic Fedders, who today has a thriving Washington D.C. law practice. Those who think the word is black and white, and that everything comes out right in the end may be interested in this story. Anyone who rationalizes violent behavior, and blames the victim, is living in an archaic world. Domestic violence is never justifiable, and laws today have at least been legislated to protect the abused spouse. 9/10.