Surviving (1985) (TV)

Director:

Waris Hussein

Writer:

Joyce Eliason (writer)

Release Date:

10 February 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Rick is a 17 year old golden boy whose father wants him to became a doctor like himself. Lonnie is a problematic 16 year old girl...

Plot Keywords:

Friendship | Suicide | Teen | Impossible Love | Father Son Relationship

Awards:

1 win & 4 nominations

Cast

Ellen Burstyn	...	Tina Brogan
Len Cariou	...	David Brogan
Zach Galligan	...	Rick Brogan
Marsha Mason	...	Lois
Molly Ringwald	...	Lonnie
Paul Sorvino	...	Harvey
River Phoenix	...	Philip Brogan
Heather O'Rourke	...	Sarah Brogan
William Windom	...	Dr. Madsen
Marc Gilpin	...	Bobby
Paddi Edwards	...	Alma
Camila Ashland	...	Woman
Jane Simoneau	...	May
Joe Berryman	...	Sheriff
Lon Coggeshall	...	Jed

Also Known As:

Surviving: A Family in Crisis
Tragedy (USA) (video title)

Runtime:

143 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Filming Locations:

Lake Hefner Dam, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

Company:

Telepictures Corporation

Trivia:

Of the four kids in the movie; Zach Galligan, Molly Ringwald, River Phoenix and Heather O'Rourke, it is the two oldest (Galligan and Ringwald) who die young. In real life however, it would be the youngest who would pass early with O'Rourke dying in 1988 at the age of 12 and Phoenix in 1993 at the age of 23.

Quotes:

Philip Brogan: Oh my goodness, oh my soul! There goes Alice down the hole!

Soundtrack:

We Belong

Intelligent, heartbreaking drama

Movies about suicide are certainly not going to be pleasant from the outset (and I know several people who refused to watch "Surviving" simply because of its theme), but I think viewers will find something special here. Ellen Burstyn plays a doctor's wife and mother who clouds her life with activity so that she can't see what's really going on; Marsha Mason is a friend of hers, a working mom who got fed-up a long time ago and can't muster the courage to care anymore. Their two eldest children (Zach Galligan and Molly Ringwald) are embarrassed by their parents, are convinced they are in love and wish to escape. The opening montage of family photos and the sad, wistful score is highly evocative (and all the shots of Ringwald are fascinating--she manages to convey depth of character even in still photographs). Mason has a more complex role than Burstyn, but Ellen (after coming out of her fog) has several strong scenes, particularly when berating her youngest son (River Phoenix) for taking sleeping pills ("How COULD you...how COULD you, Phillip?"). When Mason breaks down on her front lawn, it's tough not to cry right along with her. "Surviving" doesn't tug at your heartstrings for effect (it's not "Love Story"), it earns the tears you give it. The film was notoriously snubbed at Emmy time and got surprisingly low ratings; it's worth rediscovering. ***1/2 from ****