Leave of Absence (1994) (TV)

User Rating:

4.7/10   

Director:

Tom McLoughlin

Writers (WGA):

Polly Bergen (story)
Betty Goldberg (teleplay)

Release Date:

11 May 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Extramarital Affair | Husband Wife Relationship | Mistress

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Brian Dennehy	...	Sam
Jacqueline Bisset	...	Nell
Blythe Danner	...	Elisa
Polly Bergen
Noelle Parker	...	Zoey
Tim Lounibos	...	David Sue
Jessica Walter	...	Bess
Grayce Spence	...	Phyllis
Michael Burgess	...	Jerry
Tonea Stewart	...	Cora Winsor
Tom Atwater	...	Richard
Elizabeth Grillo Barbeau	...	Nurse
James Burgess	...	Young Man
Angelo Pope	...	Kid
Susan Rohrer	...	Woman

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Company:

Grossbart Barnett Productions

Soundtrack:

SYMPHONY NO. 1

Watcheable but highly immoral !

I am an unconditional fan of Brian Dennehy ( like Charles Durning ). I like them physically and generally like the characters they portray in films. This film is a little different because it is immoral, and I'm not quite sure why the director made it. The offending item ( above and beyond Dennehy himself of course ) is Jacqueline Bisset whom I love very much too - a real lady with a lovely face and accent. This charm cannot hide the fact that Dennehy does the dirty on his wife who is far less attractive ( I presume this was done on purpose to manipulate the spectator ! ) The punishment for this is that this happiness cannot last because the third party is condemned to die of cancer, but what is almost unbelievable is Dennehy's request to his wife that he goes to live with Bisset for the time of her illness, and that his wife should take him back when Bisset snuffs it. What a cheek ! Of course the ending is otherwise and he gets the just desserts. In spite of the immoral story line, I found the acting very good and plausible, I am biased because I love both of the main actors but cared little for Dennehy's wife who does not come over as an attractive person. In short, I would recommend the film for the actors and acting but would warn would-be viewers of the immorality of its plot. Obviously in France ( and perhaps certain other European countries like the UK or Holland ) this sort of behaviour does go on in real life and the media would have us believe ( I hasten to add, though, that it cuts no ice with me ! ) that it is " normal " but viewers in other countries may well be shocked by certain aspects of this film. You are warned !