When the Bough Breaks (1986)

A Los Angeles psychiatrist testifies for the prosecution in the trial of an accused child molester. Later the defendant, who is out on bail, is found dead in the psychiatrist's office, in ... See full summary »

Director:

Waris Hussein

Writers:

Jonathan Kellerman (novel), Phil Penningroth

Stars:

Ted Danson, Richard Masur, Rachel Ticotin

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

A Los Angeles psychiatrist testifies for the prosecution in the trial of an accused child molester. Later the defendant, who is out on bail, is found dead in the psychiatrist's office, in what appears to be a suicide. Shaken, the psychiatrist moves to the mountains outside of L.A. Not long afterwards a detective he knows comes to him for help. A seven-year-old girl saw someone kill both of her parents, but is so traumatized by the event that she can't remember anything, and the detective wants the doctor to help jar her memory. Soon, however, the doctor and the detective discover that the parents' murder and the pedophiles "suicide" may be linked to a shadowy group of wealthy and influential pedophiles, and that the child isn't the only one whose life is in danger.

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Plot Keywords:

pedophile | child molester | murder | based on novel

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Genres:

Action

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 October 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Gränsfall

Company Credits

Production Co:

TDF Productions, Taft Entertainment Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the scene where Dr Alex Delaware played by Ted Danson is seated beside the wheelchair bound Professor Van Der Graaf at Jedson College, played by Charles Lane: Lane suddenly stands up from his wheelchair and walks across the room without any difficulty. As Lane steps over Danson to retrieve a book, the open-mouthed, dumbstruck expression on Danson's face is priceless as he looks at Lane, then at the empty wheelchair in bewilderment. Danson is momentarily rattled, then raises his brow, regains his composure and plays along pretending he doesn't notice Lane's blooper. Danson manages to seamlessly complete the remainder of the scene as if nothing unusual has happened.

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Goofs

During the chase scene where the black motorcycle is in pursuit of the tan BMW, one segment clearly shows the rear window of the car as having been blown out yet one of the following segments which was shot from inside the car shows the whole window actually disintegrating after being hit by a shot fired from the motorcycle in pursuit.

User Reviews

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!