If These Walls Could Talk (1996) (TV)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Directors:

Cher
Nancy Savoca

Writers (WGA):

Pamela Wallace (story) (segment "1952") &
Earl W. Wallace (story) (segment "1952") ...

Release Date:

13 October 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

There's one question only a woman can answer

Plot:

The movie examines the abortion issue through three stories set in different eras - 50s, 70s and 90s.

Plot Keywords:

Abortion | Pregnancy | Nurse | Student | Psychopath

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 8 nominations

Cast

Demi Moore	...	Claire Donnelly (segment "1952")
Shirley Knight	...	Mary Donnelly (segment "1952")
Catherine Keener	...	Becky Donnelly (segment "1952")
Jason London	...	Kevin Donnelly (segment "1952")
CCH Pounder	...	Nurse Jenny Ford (segment "1952")
Kevin Cooney	...	Dr. Kramer (segment "1952")
Robin Gammell	...	Jim Donnelly (segment "1952")
Phyllis Lyons	...	Audrey (segment "1952")
Aaron Lustig	...	Tom (segment "1952")
Dena Burton	...	Young Nurse (segment "1952")
Marie DeCicco	...	Nurse Annie Ross (segment "1952")
Lorna Scott	...	Louise (segment "1952")
Mary Portser	...	Margaret (segment "1952")
Annie Weldon	...	Nurse (segment "1952")
Vaughn Armstrong	...	Painter (segment "1952")

MPAA:

Rated R for realistic depiction of abortions, a graphic shooting and some language.

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | UK:15 (cut) | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Netherlands:16 | South Korea:15 | Spain:18 | USA:R

Company:

HBO NYC Productions

Movie Connections:

Features "The Montel Williams Show" (1991)

Powerful, Poignant and Passionate

I love this film because it tackles the issue from both internal and external places. Arguments are presented without bias, no matter what some may say. My dad even thought this was a Pro-Life film. I clearly disagree with him and believe it's got lots of Pro-Choice leanings. Demi Moore playing a nurse who is totally alone with an unplanned pregnancy was excellent. Her fear and aloneness in the not so fabulous '50s was so beautifully represented. And it's like the other comment said, her "family" treated her more like an extension of their dead son than like an individual person. I'd rather have no family at all than one like that. Sissy Spacek represented a choice, in a decade where choices were allowed. She had it so much easier than Demi Moore's character, yet her struggle and ultimate decision were just as hard in a lot of ways, maybe even harder. Anne Heche and Cher play two women who are up against Pro-Lifers who "love babies". It reminds me of a bumper sticker I once saw: "I love babies...born and unborn." Okay, great, but too many people who love babies actually hate KIDS. Once the child is no longer bald, pink and small, this passionate "love" turns into hatred and abuse of the worst kind. I know, I've seen it and I've lived it. Truly the most nerve jangling moment is at the very end of the film. Matthew Lillard is terrific as a psycho!!!

I give this film an A+++++