Aeronautical engineer Christopher Jordan (a surprisingly credible and restrained performance by William Shatner, who thankfully keeps his usual trademark hamminess in check) feels frustrated with his hectic life with beautiful wife Katie (a fine and affecting portrayal by Michelle Phillips) and three kids. Giving in to temptation and overwhelmed by pressure both at home and from work, Jordan decides to have an extramarital fling with gorgeous high class call girl Elaine (well played with sultry charm by Cybill Shepherd). Complications ensue when Elaine's dangerous pimp Jesse (smoothly essayed by Glynn Turman) shows up and starts hounding Jordan for blackmail money. Director William A. Graham relates the engrossing story at a steady pace, wisely avoids lurid sensationalism, grounds the plot in a plausible everyday reality, and draws the believable characters with real depth. Dennis Nemec's smart and thoughtful script not only astutely presents a convincing marriage in which the passion and spontaneity has gone stale, but also intelligently explores the themes of guilt, shame, and embarrassment. Better still, while the realistic ending might be fairly upbeat, it fortunately doesn't wrap everything up nice and neat in a bow. Ravishing Playboy Playmate Heidi Sorensen has a small part as enticing prostitute Kelly. Kudos are also in order for Robert Steadman's crisp cinematography and the elegant and unobtrusive score by Mark Snow. Worth a watch.
Review of Secrets of a Married Man
Secrets of a Married Man
(1984 TV Movie)
Superior made-for-TV movie
6 January 2014
Warning: Spoilers