A Cry for Help: The Tracey Thurman Story (1989) (TV)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Robert Markowitz

Writer (WGA):

Beth Sullivan (written by)

Release Date:

2 October 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Tracy Thurman was married to a man who abused her. But he continues to harass her after she gets a restraining order...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Law | Marital Abuse | Courtroom | Based On True Story

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 1 nomination

Cast

Nancy McKeon	...	Tracey Thurman
Dale Midkiff	...	Buck Thurman
Graham Jarvis	...	Officer Danziger
Yvette Heyden	...	Judy Bentley
Terri Hanauer	...	Cheryl
Philip Baker Hall	...	Judge Blumenfeld
David Wohl	...	Nagel
David Ciminello	...	Rick
Priscilla Pointer	...	Tracey's Mother
Seth Isler	...	Lewis
Burton Collins
Bruce Weitz	...	Burton Weinstein
Paul Comi	...	Officer Dempsey
Joe George	...	Captain Kyker
Redman Gleeson	...	Officer Bray

Also Known As:

Under the Law: The Tracey Thurman Story (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | USA:Not Rated

Company:

Dick Clark Productions

Quotes:

Tracey Thurman: You know I really believe there's a part of him that loves me, but it's like he's two people inside. Sometimes he can be really sweet.

Realistic

What a great movie, excellently portrayed by Nancy McKeon and Dale Midkiff. While watching this movie, though , I experienced an unbelievable feeling of anxiety. I was in (and escaped from) an abusive marriage, and the character of Buck Thurman was so similar in every way to my ex that I found it extremely difficult to watch. Women who watch this movie, and have never experienced abuse can either pity women who are trapped (and they are literally trapped) in abusive relationships, or hate them and call them stupid for staying. I can only say that unless you have been in the situation, you will never comprehend the horror and trauma of it. It is ignorant to believe that women stay in abusive relationships because they are too stupid to get out. Their relationships don't start out abusive. Just try to imagine someone whom you love unconditionally and have decided to spend the rest of your life with evolving slowly, then dramatically into a mentally and physically abusive monster. You may be able to imagine that, but you will never be able to imagine having all self-respect beaten out of you, nor will you be able to imagine the feelings of fear, degradation, humility, and hopelessness. Those feelings, are why women stay.