When the Bough Breaks (1986) (TV)

User Rating:

7.0/10   

Director:

Waris Hussein

Writers:

Jonathan Kellerman (novel) and
Phil Penningroth (writer)

Release Date:

12 October 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Action

Plot:

A Los Angeles psychiatrist testifies for the prosecution in the trial of an accused child molester. Later the defendant...

Plot Keywords:

Pedophile | Murder | Child Molester | Beautiful Woman | Based On Novel

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Ted Danson	...	Alex
Richard Masur	...	Milo
Rachel Ticotin	...	Raquel Santos
James Noble	...	Dr. Warren Towle
Kim Miyori	...	Kim Hickle
Merritt Butrick	...	Tim Kruger
David Huddleston	...	Vicar McCaffrey
Charles Lane	...	Van der Graaf
Scott Paulin	...	Rick
Deborah Harmon	...	Lisa
Marcie Leeds	...	Melody Quinn
Tom Williams	...	Stuart Hickle
Robert Covarrubias	...	Andy
Danny De La Paz	...	Raphael
Lupe Ontiveros	...	Cruz

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

USA:Not Rated

Company:

TDF Productions

A good adaptation of the Kellerman Novel

Very nicely done for a TV movie. It's a real shame that there aren't more Alex/Milo movie adaptations. God knows we have enough King/Critchton/Grisham/Clancy adaptations to last a lifetime. Danson and Masur are very genuine and accurate in their portrayals of the dynamic dick/shrink duo. Good pathos at the end scene. Direction is rather typical Movie of the Week fair, but it follows the investigation progress and plot twists very lucidly and at a good pace. Supporting cast is rather mediocre, but well suited to the genre. I have rarely seen Danson this serious in a role, and was very surprised at how good he is. Masur is very much Milo, both capture the bantering dialog that is the duo's hallmark. I bought a cheap VHS copy of this on Amazon, and was glad I did. Too bad it's not on DVD. If you like the Alex Delaware mysteries by Jonathan Kellerman, you'll enjoy this!