One Woman's Courage (TV 1994)

Because Grace's husband Craig is having an affair she starts drinking. One night Grace witnesses a man attacking a girl; she helps her to the hospital but does not want to be a witness in ... See full summary »

Director:

Charles Robert Carner

Writer:

John Steven Owen

Stars:

Patty Duke, James Farentino, Keith Szarabajka

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patty Duke	...	Grace McKenna
James Farentino	...	Lieutenant Bill Lawson
Keith Szarabajka	...	Wallace Bremer
Dennis Farina	...	Craig McKenna
Margot Kidder	...	Stella Jenson
Geoffrey Blake	...	Ted McKenna
Debra Sharkey	...	Frannie Pearson
Titus Welliver
Jo Anderson
Hattie Winston
Mary Donnelly-Haskell	...	Judge Wintercorn
Sarah Freeman	...	Melissa Pearson
Courtland Mead	...	Michael Pearson
Casey Biggs	...	Barry Cameron
Marjean Holden	...	Sandra Widdoes

Storyline

Because Grace's husband Craig is having an affair she starts drinking. One night Grace witnesses a man attacking a girl; she helps her to the hospital but does not want to be a witness in court because of Craig, thinking that he would lose his reputation. Only when the mother of the girl appeals to her, Grace puts herself in contact with Lt. Lawson from the police department. During the trial Grace identifies Bremer as the thug but at the same time she is being asked questions about her private life. When in the end Bremer is set free, he is out to chase Grace.

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Plot Keywords:

witness | courtroom | alcoholic | rape | witness protection | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 February 1994 (USA)

Also Known As:

Saving Grace

Filming Locations:

City Hall - 200 N. Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bonnie Raskin Productions, NBC Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

It takes more than one woman's courage to sit through the whole thing.

When thinking about this film, several words come to mind: cliched, contrived, and confusing, to name a few. In most suspense thrillers, the audience finds itself yelling out advice to the main characters, such as "don't go into the basement- the bad guy is there" or "save yourself! don't go back for your cat!" I never did that with this one. It wasn't because the decisions this victim makes are any smarter than any other suspense thriller victim, it was more that I just really didn't care what happened to her. I couldn't feel any sympathy for her because she was so two-dimensional.

Then let's consider the stalker. He is supposed to make the viewer feel creepy just by being onscreen. He is definitely no Anthony Hopkins or Jack Nicholson. Frankly, I've seen episodes of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" that were creepier. I'm tired of actors who think it is easy to play a psychopath.

This film did have its bright spots, though they were few and far-between. One scene that I thought was very well-done (if slightly preposterous) took place in a church and involved a very cool priest. I can say no more.

I suppose I sometimes demand too much of made-for-TV movies. In all honesty, I'd have to say that "made-for-TV suspense Velveeta" is my favorite genre, and when viewed in its proper context (i.e. on cable at three in the morning), this film is a fine example of its genre.