Its about ten years since this film was released and just recently re-shown on Hallmark cable; its an intense, well written drama with excellent performances from, in particular, the main actors. A happy relatively young couple with a new born baby are then faced with their own death in distressing circumstances.It surely must be the most difficult of arts for any actor or actress to play such a scenario but its done here with conviction, skill and some humor. I found this movie compelling throughout and that is thanks to the way the whole picture was made and presented. Of course it ain't a comedy, and no movie, no matter how good, can truly portray the full depths of human tragedy but can reflect some snippits of it. And this film does exactly that, and is worthy of at least an 8 out of 10.
9 Reviews
Sad. Very sad.
Sheowens274 August 2005
I watched this last night on the Lifetime Movie Network. I cried and cried and cried. Vinnie's outlook on life, and the way he was able to handle all this bad stuff happening to him and his family is just amazing. I would only hope I could be as half as strong. Makes me thankful for my health and the health of my family. I had to remind myself of the year this movie was made, as a couple of their close friends no longer had contact with them after they became ill. Frustrating as the husband was a doctor and should of known better. If you watch this make sure you have tissues on hand!! I definitely recommend it.
A true, heartbreaking story.
mark.waltz5 January 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It seems like there are nothing but happy roads ahead for newly married couple Amy Madigan and Dennis Boutsikaris, that is until they struggle to have a child. When the baby is born, if it gets to have health issues, and they learn quickly that the baby has HIV, told to them very bluntly that the baby has AIDS. Both are quickly tested and are positive, and this turns their lives upside down as they deal with their pending mortality as well as their child's. Their friends react in a variety of ways, some going as far as to drop them completely or show ignorance, others are much more compassionate.
Jane Daly as Madigan's boss and confidante and Cameron Arnett as the compassionate nurse (a definite walking angel on Earth) are standouts. This social drama was certainly a lot more informed in information than earlier films were that dealt with the AIDS crisis although there's still the general coldness or unemotional stares those infected get, even in the medical profession. The strength of the two leading characters makes them fight, especially for their daughter, and it's the sign of hope they have that makes this a memorable family drama.
Jane Daly as Madigan's boss and confidante and Cameron Arnett as the compassionate nurse (a definite walking angel on Earth) are standouts. This social drama was certainly a lot more informed in information than earlier films were that dealt with the AIDS crisis although there's still the general coldness or unemotional stares those infected get, even in the medical profession. The strength of the two leading characters makes them fight, especially for their daughter, and it's the sign of hope they have that makes this a memorable family drama.
not an Agatha Christie
petershelleyau4 November 2001
Based on a true story this film written by Rama Laurie Stagner and directed by David Jones is wrenchingly honest and moving. Roxy (Amy Madigan) and Vinnie (Dennis Boutsikas) try for years to be pregnant only to have the baby they finally produce to have AIDS, and to discover they too are infected. However their story is full of hope, about appreciating what you have, learning the meaning of friendship, and making the most of your time. The film doesn't telegraph it's intentions. When the diagnosis is made is it just as much a surprise to the audience as it is to the characters, which is a credit to the screenplay. And in spite of the other treatments of similar material it maintains interest because of the disenobling integrity of the acting and the sureness of direction. It also features a remarkable death scene - the kind I've never seen realised before, and another gutsy performance from Amy Madigan, who I've always liked.
Bad things DO happen to good people ....
littleheaven6 March 2006
This is just an amazing story about "bad things that happen to good people." I just finished watching it 5 minutes ago so I'm still in awe. The story took place in 1984 - when I was 9 years old - and I had never even heard of AIDS at that time. Watching this was a learning experience for me. It amazes me how far things have developed in 22 years, both good and bad. (Bad in the amount of similar cases today, and good in the testing/treatment of the disease.) Nobody ever thinks something like this will happen to them. I still don't believe anything will ever go wrong with my life. But watching this movie makes you realize than anything unexpected can happen to anyone at anytime no matter WHO you are or how careful you are. Things just HAPPEN - and I think this movie does an excellent job portraying that fact. I can't rate this movie a 10 because I think it could have been put together a bit better, but I will definitely give it a 9 for the message it has and the reality of the situation. It's a definite "must see!"
One annoying part
JosieCashew1 March 2005
I thought this movie was a very sad and touching movie-- but one part of it really annoyed me-- the beginning where the woman (with her parents sitting right there) makes a big production of "giving herself away." at her wedding. Now, I understand when women don't want to be "given away." in the traditional sense, but there are MANY ways to begin a wedding-- including having both bride AND groom escorted down the aisle by their parents. Other cultures do things such as having the bride and groom escort each other, as was done in my brother and sister in laws wedding in Russia. The way it was done in this movie seemed to me to feel like something was being thrown in our faces.
Amazing story
celestina327 September 2005
Excellent movie based on true story. I love it! Roxy Ventola McGrath died of complications due to AIDS on November 14, 1994. Survived by her husband Matthew McGrath, her parents Esther and Salvatore Abramo, her brother Jack and by merlin the beagle.
Roxy made us promise to keep fighting. She told Mary to continue to be loud and rude and in people's faces! She told her to keep doing AIDS activism and AIDS work in whatever capacity that she could be effective for as long as she is healthy enough. Roxy tried to comfort all her HIV positive friends by telling them not to worry, that science would find something that actually worked by the time it was their turn. Roxy wanted all her friends with HIV/AIDS not to be afraid of dying. She said "It's not so bad, well.... it's bad, but it's not as bad as you think it's going to be. It's not as scary as you think it's going to be." Roxy was a great advocate for peer counseling and peer support programs as you can see from her agency affiliations listed below. She would often remark about how she hated the "neggies" (a term she used to describe HIV negative people) trying to tell people with AIDS how they should feel or what they should do and how nice they should be to their care providers. She hated it when negative people would try to hone in on peer support groups to "observe" or offer "pity". "No neggies allowed!" she would say, "this is about us". The 1994 movie described the events which led to the deaths of her husband, Vinny, and infant daughter, Miranda Rose. They both died from AIDS in 1991. In 1993, Roxy was remarried to AIDS activist, Matthew McGrath.
Amy Madigan played the part of Roxy and won an Emmy for her outstanding performance. In her acceptance speech she gave tribute to the Ventola family and mentioned that Roxy had since passed away. Roxy's play, "After the Bomb" about a post-AIDS world, was produced in the spring of 1994 at Open Fist Theater in Los Angeles. She also performed in the Michael Kerns play, "AIDS, US Women: Silent NO More." She was: President of the Board of Women At Risk, a support service for women with HIV/AIDS; a co-founding member of Women Alive, a peer group run by and for women volunteers with HIV/AIDS; a founding member of Friends for Life, a support service for heterosexuals with HIV/AIDS; and an active member of of ACT UP/LA. In 1991, Roxy was a staff writer for the sit-com, "Sunday Dinner," produced by Norman Lear. She worked as a reporter/producer at WNET in New York from 1973-77. She created a pilot project for PBS on working class America called "US". She moved to Los Angeles, and worked at KNXT and KCET as a magazine show producer. Her journalism awards include a local Emmy for Best Documentary, "Art Therapy", and an award from Radio 8 TV News Association of Southern California in 1978.
Roxy made us promise to keep fighting. She told Mary to continue to be loud and rude and in people's faces! She told her to keep doing AIDS activism and AIDS work in whatever capacity that she could be effective for as long as she is healthy enough. Roxy tried to comfort all her HIV positive friends by telling them not to worry, that science would find something that actually worked by the time it was their turn. Roxy wanted all her friends with HIV/AIDS not to be afraid of dying. She said "It's not so bad, well.... it's bad, but it's not as bad as you think it's going to be. It's not as scary as you think it's going to be." Roxy was a great advocate for peer counseling and peer support programs as you can see from her agency affiliations listed below. She would often remark about how she hated the "neggies" (a term she used to describe HIV negative people) trying to tell people with AIDS how they should feel or what they should do and how nice they should be to their care providers. She hated it when negative people would try to hone in on peer support groups to "observe" or offer "pity". "No neggies allowed!" she would say, "this is about us". The 1994 movie described the events which led to the deaths of her husband, Vinny, and infant daughter, Miranda Rose. They both died from AIDS in 1991. In 1993, Roxy was remarried to AIDS activist, Matthew McGrath.
Amy Madigan played the part of Roxy and won an Emmy for her outstanding performance. In her acceptance speech she gave tribute to the Ventola family and mentioned that Roxy had since passed away. Roxy's play, "After the Bomb" about a post-AIDS world, was produced in the spring of 1994 at Open Fist Theater in Los Angeles. She also performed in the Michael Kerns play, "AIDS, US Women: Silent NO More." She was: President of the Board of Women At Risk, a support service for women with HIV/AIDS; a co-founding member of Women Alive, a peer group run by and for women volunteers with HIV/AIDS; a founding member of Friends for Life, a support service for heterosexuals with HIV/AIDS; and an active member of of ACT UP/LA. In 1991, Roxy was a staff writer for the sit-com, "Sunday Dinner," produced by Norman Lear. She worked as a reporter/producer at WNET in New York from 1973-77. She created a pilot project for PBS on working class America called "US". She moved to Los Angeles, and worked at KNXT and KCET as a magazine show producer. Her journalism awards include a local Emmy for Best Documentary, "Art Therapy", and an award from Radio 8 TV News Association of Southern California in 1978.
Watch this gem
andziab22 March 2021
Amazing film. To me, what she says at the end of the film, just sums up everything for me. The truth about life really.
So few people appreciate what they have, living not in the moment. This film teaches us the other aspect. Beautiful acting and depth of emotion. Cant fault it!
Extremely sad/a definate 10
WTARAK19 April 2004
The main reason I watched this film was because of Agatha Cristies movie with the name of 'And then there was none'. But this is a completely different senerio and a very special movie. The acting is superb, the directing is excellent as well. It is a very emotional movie that will remain in the subconscious for what seems like forever.Once this movie is viewed the person will never be the same. When they feel like they are the only people in the world who is going through such a personal tragedy,(whatever it may be at that time in their lives) this film will resurface and you will think of all those with deadly afflictions that have virtually no way out. I have personally looked for this film for myself for over five years now, would appreciate anyone who knows where I can buy it to contact me through email. Thanks.
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