Woodyanders Review of Silence of the Heart

Silence of the Heart (1984 TV Movie)

A potent and devastating made-for-TV drama about teen suicide

[10/10 · 14 December 2006]

Troubled teen Skip Lewis (a strong and moving performance by Chad Lowe), depressed about getting bad grades on his SATs and being rejected by a hot girl (the gorgeous Alexandra Powers) he's got a crush on, commits suicide by driving his car off a cliff. His confused parents and friends try to figure out why he killed himself and attempt to come to terms with the sudden severe loss they feel they could have possibly prevented. This gripping and touching film tackles the explosive and pertinent subject of teenage suicide in an admirably tasteful and restrained manner; it's this subtle presentation of a delicate subject and the thankful complete lack of sappy melodrama which in turn makes this picture so strikingly effective and heart-wrenching. Ably directed with laudable tact and sensitivity by Richard Michaels, with a thoughtful and insightful script by Phil Penningworth, sharp, polished cinematography by Isidore Mankofsky, a moody, melancholy by Georges Delerue, and exceptionally affecting acting by a first-rate cast which includes Mariette Hartley as Skip's loving, exuberant mother Barbara, Dana Hill as Skip's compassionate sister Cindy, Howard Hesseman as Skip's sturdy denialist workaholic dad Carl, Charlie Sheen as Skip's loyal best friend Ken, and Elizabeth Berridge as Skip's sweet gal pal Penny, this remarkably poignant and powerful made-for-TV knockout is well worth watching.