The Blackwater Lightship (TV 2004)

A man in the final stages of AIDS is cared for by his sister and mother and grandmother.

Director:

John Erman

Writers:

Shane Connaughton (screenplay), Colm Toibin (novel)

Stars:

Dianne Wiest, Gina McKee, Keith McErlean

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 3 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Dianne Wiest	...	Lily
Gina McKee	...	Helen
Keith McErlean	...	Declan
Angela Lansbury	...	Dora
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Marijka Bardin	...	Young Helen
Sean Campion	...	Michael Breen
Barry Cassin	...	Fr. Griffin
Angela Harding	...	Mrs. Byrne
Laura Hughes	...	Anne
Ruth McCabe	...	Dr. Louise
Frank McCusker	...	Harry
Maria McDermottroe	...	Madge Kehoe
Dearbhla Molloy	...	Essie Kehoe
Brían F. O'Byrne	...	Larry
Kevin O'Dwyer	...	Young Declan

Storyline

When his AIDS reaches the terminal stages, gay Declan Kehoe returns to his Irish coastal home, or actually grandma's, near a lightship site. Caring boyfriends help him and his wining female relatives deal with unresolved family issues as well as his physical syndrome.

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Plot Keywords:

aids | mother daughter relationship | gay character | bare chested male | based on novel

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

CBS [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 February 2004 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Blackwater Lightship (#53.2)

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gillham Road Productions, Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min 120 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When their father photographs Helen and Declan they look straight into the camera. When the picture develops they look to the side.

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Connections

Featured in The 56th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2004)

User Reviews

Beautiful setting, superior acting and screenplay!

I saw 'The Blackwater Lightship' originally on the Hallmark Playhouse on television..complete with numerous commercials! I loved the film so I bought the DVD from Hallmark...minus commercials...what a treat...the film doesn't play like usual TV movies...with a 'hanger' right before the commercial to hold your interest and get one to return to the film after the commercial.

This film plays smoothly as one piece....not fragmented and spotty like most TV films.

The cast is magnificent....the sublime Angela Lansbury playing the Irish granny...Diane Wiest as the daughter of GRanny, and with several actors who were unfamiliar to me.

However two actors I am familiar with are Sam Robards (have to see more of his work) and Brian F. O' Bryan (I know I didn't get this name correctly, but he is currently collecting all the awards on Broadway this season for his superb work in 'Doubt') They are exceptional as two gay friends of Wiest's son who is dying of Aids.

With an Irish seaside setting (the Blackwater Lightship) and superb character transformations...this is a film I recommend unhesitatingly.