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IMDbPro

A Family Torn Apart

  • TV Movie
  • 19931993
  • 1h 38m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
545
YOUR RATING
Neil Patrick Harris and Johnny Galecki in A Family Torn Apart (1993)
CrimeDramaHorror
A teenage boy finds his mother and father murdered in their home but as the story goes on he reveals he knows more than he is letting on.A teenage boy finds his mother and father murdered in their home but as the story goes on he reveals he knows more than he is letting on.A teenage boy finds his mother and father murdered in their home but as the story goes on he reveals he knows more than he is letting on.
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
545
YOUR RATING
    • Craig R. Baxley
    • Leslie Walker(based on the book "Sudden Fury" by)
    • Matthew Bombeck(teleplay by)
  • Stars
    • Neil Patrick Harris
    • Johnny Galecki
    • Linda Kelsey
    • Craig R. Baxley
    • Leslie Walker(based on the book "Sudden Fury" by)
    • Matthew Bombeck(teleplay by)
  • Stars
    • Neil Patrick Harris
    • Johnny Galecki
    • Linda Kelsey
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 6User reviews
    • 4Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Photos

    A Family Torn Apart (1993)
    A Family Torn Apart (1993)
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    Top cast

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    Neil Patrick Harris
    Neil Patrick Harris
    • Brian Hannigan
    Johnny Galecki
    Johnny Galecki
    • Daniel Hannigan
    Linda Kelsey
    Linda Kelsey
    • Maureen Hannigan
    John M. Jackson
    John M. Jackson
    • Joe Hannigan
    Lisa Banes
    Lisa Banes
    • Barbara Forester
    James Handy
    James Handy
    • Det. Stockman
    Tim Kelleher
    Tim Kelleher
    • Det. Cahill
    Timothy Bass
    Timothy Bass
    • Ken Pierson
    Eric Lloyd
    Eric Lloyd
    • Chris Hannigan
    Gregory Harrison
    Gregory Harrison
    • Tom Kelley
    Larry Black
    • D.A. Norman Crowley
    Rhoda Griffis
    Rhoda Griffis
    • Liz Kelley
    Kathy Larson
    • Lisa Kensington
    • (as Catherine Larson)
    Rosemary Newcott
    • Child Services Caseworker
    Chris McKenzie
    • Brian - Age 6
    Adam Crosby
    • Daniel - Age 6
    Ralph Wilcox
    Ralph Wilcox
    • Crownsville Supervisor
    Brett Kinard
    • Scott Forester
      • Craig R. Baxley
      • Leslie Walker(based on the book "Sudden Fury" by)
      • Matthew Bombeck(teleplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      All entries contain spoilers
    • Quotes

      Operator: Hello. 911. What is your emergency? Hello? I'm sorry I can't hear you.

      Brian: I think my parents are dead.

    • Soundtracks
      When The Rain Starts To Fall
      Written by Gary Chang and Kent Houseman

    User reviews6

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    9/10
    Tense, gripping, well-executed mini-movie that rises above its tabloid trappings.
    There are precious few TV movies that remain indelibly etched in one's mind. After awhile they all seem to be the same routine stuff -- capitalizing on the same lurid titles, based on the same sordid headlines. But 1993's "A Family Torn Apart" stands apart from the rest of those violent-edged movies we usually witness. Superbly acted by young actors Neil Patrick Harris and Johnny Galecki who play half-brothers, this stark drama makes quite an impact, rising far above its potentially sensationalistic trappings. With taut, believable characters, knowing direction and a gripping storyline, we are presented with an "A" class bit of storytelling.

    Both Harris (from "Doogie Houser") and Galecki (from "Roseanne") grab the opportunity to shed their earnest, amiable TV typecasts for once and immerse themselves completely into the minds of these two poor unfortunates. And as we witness, via family flashbacks, the harrowing pressure-cooker situations Brian and Daniel are forced to live under, we understand the "why" and the "how" of this tragic family occurrence.

    John M. Jackson and Linda Kelsey give remarkable performances as ill-fated

    Joe and Maureen Hannigan. By outward appearances, they appear to be stable, dedicated, church-going parents who have earned the respect of their flag-waving community by participating in selfless civic endeavors. But behind closed doors we get to see an entirely darker side.

    Extremely strict, overbearing, eccentric and subject to religious fanaticism (she, in particular, shows warning signs of manic mental illness), their demands for perfection make life increasingly unbearable for quiet honor student Brian (Harris) and troubled, delinquent foster son Daniel (Galecki), especially as the latter gets into more and more trouble. And then one day, the parents are found savagely murdered in their home. Was it a random act of violence? Or did one of the boys go off the deep end and do it?

    Bleak, depressing and often disturbing, "A Family Torn Apart" may cover familiar ground, but it covers it much better than most. Well, well above average. And like a bad accident, it's hard to look away from it.
    helpful•25
    6
    • gbrumburgh-1
    • Feb 17, 2002

    Details

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    • Release date
      • November 21, 1993 (United States)
      • United States
      • Lifetime TV
      • English
    • Also known as
    • Production companies
      • RHI Entertainment
      • River City Productions Inc.
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • 1 hour 38 minutes
      • Color
      • Stereo

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