Critical Choices (1996)

A drama about the evaporation of our rights in America. Margaret operates the only abortion clinic in Madison, Wisconsin and Diana is an avid supporter. Arlene is a right wing abolitionist.... See full summary »

Director:

Claudia Weill

Writers:

Susan Cuscuna, Robin Le Chanu (as Robin L. Green)

Stars:

Betty Buckley, Pamela Reed, Diana Scarwid

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Betty Buckley	...	Dr. Margaret Ludlow
Pamela Reed	...	Arlene
Diana Scarwid	...	Diana
Terry Kinney	...	Lloyd
Albert Schultz	...	Andy
Dean McDermott	...	Johnny
Jody Racicot	...	Wayne
Jeffrey Donovan	...	Randy
Liisa Repo-Martell	...	Amy
Brian Kerwin	...	Flood
Sarah Rosen Fruitman	...	Belinda
Tabitha Lupien	...	Becky
Cody Jones	...	Bryan
Corey Sevier	...	Bradley
Simon Reynolds	...	David

Storyline

A drama about the evaporation of our rights in America. Margaret operates the only abortion clinic in Madison, Wisconsin and Diana is an avid supporter. Arlene is a right wing abolitionist. Their views differ, but their dedication and respect for each other remains very strong. They are both right in their beliefs.

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Plot Keywords:

title directed by female | abortion | f rated | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and depiction of an abortion procedure

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 December 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Critical Choices - Die Entscheidung

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Television, Showtime Networks, Adelson Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

the right to life. the urge to kill.

Although this made for TV movie reads as an ordinary take on the pro choice pro life debate over abortion, the teleplay does add dimension to the characters which changes them from being polemic representatives to flawed humans. Setting the crisis over the last abortion clinic - here called a women's health co-op - in the state at Easter is a nice touch. Statistics are included in the dialogue to an acceptable degree, and there are funny lines. To the pro lifers - "Their notion of life begins at conception and ends at birth". And a chant at the clinic battleground of "Keep your rosaries off my ovaries". There is also a parallel made between church wine and recreational wine, and the irony of the intolerance of the Christian Fundamentalists - who crack the hackneyed Adam and Steve line twice - is shown. Performances from pros like Pamela Reed, Diane Scarwid, and Betty Buckley - who has a lesser role - are all good.