I was curious about this as an early credit for Hillary Swank, and if I were she and someone mentioned this movie in my presence I'd probably be thinking, "I'm a big movie star now, I've won two Academy Awards, I should be allowed to forget credits like that." Truth be told, though, it's a better than average Lifetime movie and Swank acquits herself marvelously in it as the rebellious teenage girl whose violent relations with her family open a lot of old wounds going back three generations. This has some of the usual Lifetime weaknesses melodramatic plot construction, an overly reverential attitude towards psychotherapy, sappy piano-and-strings background music (they must have a library of millions of these records) and a limp excuse for punk rock allegedly performed by Garrett's band, as well as the obligatory soft-core porn scene but it's also solidly acted by a tight ensemble cast, it's all too believable despite the melodramatics, and Gregory Goodell has a visual sense far ahead of most of the Lifetime directors.
15 Reviews
Joanna Kerns makes the movie watchable...Worth a shot-
MarieGabrielle22 May 2006
The subject matter is not just about a violent teen (Hillary Swank) but what got her that way. The title is misleading, sounds more like a serial killer type movie.
Kerns does well, portraying a housewife with a distant husband, drinking too much (as it turns out her mother, portrayed by Nan Martin, liked using physical force to keep the kids in line). Dan Lauria is the father, who prefers woodworking in the basement to avoid addressing the issues. There was also a similar film on Lifetime with Delta Burke and Ryan Merriman: "Child of Rage"; it presented this problem in a clearer light- and the audience learns that teen violence against parents is not unusual. There are also many different causes, and it does not happen in a vacuum.
This movie has Swank as the root of the problem, until the very end where it is clear her mother (Kerns) was raised by an abusive mother. This issue should have been developed more. Also the faltering marriage issue was never addressed; Kathleen Wilhoite is Kern's sister, who has some insight about the problem, and is all but ignored throughout the film. The other adults who contribute to the problem do not admit it until the last five minutes of the film, where everyone except the abusive grandma goes to therapy.
Worth a shot if you at least have an interest in what causes teens to act out, and why alcoholism exists.
Kerns does well, portraying a housewife with a distant husband, drinking too much (as it turns out her mother, portrayed by Nan Martin, liked using physical force to keep the kids in line). Dan Lauria is the father, who prefers woodworking in the basement to avoid addressing the issues. There was also a similar film on Lifetime with Delta Burke and Ryan Merriman: "Child of Rage"; it presented this problem in a clearer light- and the audience learns that teen violence against parents is not unusual. There are also many different causes, and it does not happen in a vacuum.
This movie has Swank as the root of the problem, until the very end where it is clear her mother (Kerns) was raised by an abusive mother. This issue should have been developed more. Also the faltering marriage issue was never addressed; Kathleen Wilhoite is Kern's sister, who has some insight about the problem, and is all but ignored throughout the film. The other adults who contribute to the problem do not admit it until the last five minutes of the film, where everyone except the abusive grandma goes to therapy.
Worth a shot if you at least have an interest in what causes teens to act out, and why alcoholism exists.
family
kairingler26 July 2013
This was an intense film from Lifetime Network, Hilary Swank is a teenage girl who wants her freedom from her parents and wants to be with her boyfriend,, well her parents are going to put a stop to this, but problem is this spoiled brat is violent and she goes after her dad by slamming a door on his arm,, fighting with her mother,, classic tale of teenage girl rebelling but goes way to far in this movie I felt,, the mother escapes by drinking whine during the day,, the husband is busy in the basement doing woodworking,, and the son is busy sipping vodka before bed,, this movie is kinda hard to watch,, in part because I had a teenage step daughter that was violent as she got older, but thank goodness not to the point in the movie , but close enough. interesting watch,,, Dan Lauria was good, and Jo Anna Kerns was great and stole the show for me.
PRETTY GOOD TV MOVIE
MOVIEFAN4331 September 2001
As far as t. v. made movies go this gets a B+. Hilary Swank better known for her role in "The Next Karate Kid" plays an abusive teen who starts to violently hit her parents when she gets real angry, through all the fighting and her dating a delinquent the violence turns into an authority involvement. Joanna Kerns (Growing Pains) plays her alcoholic mother who can't seem to control her daughter or keep a punishment, she's believable but tries too much. I'm not saying it's the best but I would see it as often as it may come on.
These patterns repeat!
moonspinner5520 July 2006
Hilary Swank is obviously a very good actress, but her casting here presents a problem: as a rebellious suburban teen with an anger management problem, Swank isn't too convincing as a malicious liar and conniver. This pedantic TV-made drama hopes to show how some parents attempt to substitute personal problems or an estranged marriage by turning their kids into pals (instead of helping them become responsible people). It has many intense moments of family conflict, yet Swank is too clean-cut, too brainy and well-wrought as a person to match up with this mercurial character. As her parents, Joanna Kerns and Dan Lauria have some very fine scenes, but Kerns (playing an alcoholic) is given too many not-so-subtle "sipping her wine" close-ups, and this particular needy mom (whose own mother was abusive-these patterns repeat!) isn't quite convincing either: she seems to go downhill awfully fast (after the obligatory 'fixing dinner' scenes) and her background and relationship with her sister is left too vague. The melodramatic music score is obtrusive and obnoxious, underlining every emotion to the nth-degree and signaling the traumas far in advance. However, for a television film the narrative is tight and, after a poor opening (including a tatty flashback frame, the kind that never works), the movie improves and does try to solve its dilemmas carefully without too much hand-holding.
Is the perfect family just a dream?
michaelRokeefe10 November 2001
Don't expect much from this depressing look a teenage girl(Hilary Swank)that terrorizes and tears apart her disjunctive family by inflicting physical and emotional injury. Directed and written by Gregory Goodell, this made-for-TV drama is hard to hold interest in. Joanna Kerns plays the alcoholic mother and Dan Luria is the indifferent father with incestuous issues. Young son Adam Hendershott also turns to alcohol with plans to runaway like his big sister. The court has Swank temporarily live with her aunt(Kathleen Wilhoite), who also has painful issues to deal with from childhood. Quite a mess and somewhat a drag. Not much fun to say the least.
Good for a few laughs
comquest19 March 2001
At first, 'Terror in the Family' seems like just another familiar tale of a 'normal' American family dealing with a violent teenager.
As the story progresses, however, you eventually realize that the violently rebellious daughter (Hillary Swank) may be the only member of this family that ISN'T totally bonkers. Mom's an alcoholic, dear ol' dad (who spends most of his time making wooden salad bowls) never wanted kids in the first place, younger brother Adam is a closet drunk, and grandma makes Joan Crawford look like mother of the year.
This family is so dysfunctional that you have to wonder how they ever stayed together long enough to have teenage kids! As the non-stop bickering reaches a fever pitch in the final hour, it's hard not to laugh out loud.
If this were a black comedy, it might work. But as a drama, it falls apart rather quickly. Too bad, since the cast was good enough to deliver much more.
As the story progresses, however, you eventually realize that the violently rebellious daughter (Hillary Swank) may be the only member of this family that ISN'T totally bonkers. Mom's an alcoholic, dear ol' dad (who spends most of his time making wooden salad bowls) never wanted kids in the first place, younger brother Adam is a closet drunk, and grandma makes Joan Crawford look like mother of the year.
This family is so dysfunctional that you have to wonder how they ever stayed together long enough to have teenage kids! As the non-stop bickering reaches a fever pitch in the final hour, it's hard not to laugh out loud.
If this were a black comedy, it might work. But as a drama, it falls apart rather quickly. Too bad, since the cast was good enough to deliver much more.
Hints at how good Hilary Swank will become
Pewterhills16 August 2005
This film was edgy for a made-for-television show, dealing with real issues for a change. Miss Swank showed promise here early on, as well as newcomer Rachel Youngberg. Cinematography was good. Direction, for a film this size, was also good. The location shots were believable, which puts it ahead in my book. What made this film interesting was a storyline that moved it along, and enough action to keep it going. Some of the smaller parts seemed better acted than most, and may be due to the Utah casting. While it dragged in spots, the intensity of the characters pulled it through. I really liked seeing a younger Hillary Swank, with a hint at what she carried inside for later expression.
Dysfunctional Family
whpratt116 May 2007
Joanna Kerns, (Cynthia Martin) plays the role of a mother who loves her family and especially her daughter, Deena Martin (Hilary Swank) who has the hots for her boyfriend who is wild and drags Deena down the wrong way of life. However, Cynthia Martin loves to drink wine all day long and has trouble trying to deal with her husband who wants to make pottery in the basement all the time. In the meantime, Adam Martin, the son of Cynthia Martin loves to drink vodka from a bottle before he goes to sleep or when problems start to hit him in the face. The only sane person in this out of control family is Todd Martin, (Dan Lauria) who plays the role of the husband of this crazy family which needs professional help.
a good scary movie for desperate housewife (tv)
leplatypus20 October 2016
I suppose that the biggest fear for those mothers would be to see their dear children becoming dangerous, a bit like « the exorcist ». Here, this menace happens for a rebellious, lost teen daughter and the family is torn to shreds ! For a humble TV movie, i found that the story is remarkably well written : it seems totally believable, even when things turn bad ! The reactions of all families members seems genuine so it's really gripping and moving ! The production is well done as we really inhabits the house for this long winter and for sure, the cast is wonderful : Miss Kern is the iconic mother from sitcoms, for one time, the father takes the matter in his hands and Hilary stuns with her early talent : she plays like an old Oscar nominee and her very personal style, simple and honest, takes her apart from all others starlets ! Usually, TV movie are crippled movies but not this one !
Bad movie, but...
hillary128 February 2005
I remember watching this movie and thinking it was just typical made-for-TV trash, you know, the kind of crap that shows up regularly on "Lifetime" or the "We" channel. And it was-regurgitated TV cast, for the most part, hammy overreacting, and just a stupid script. But I do remember taking note of the young woman who played the abusive daughter in the film (BTW, you absolutely could not blame her for beating the crap out of her whiny, idiotic family-ugh!) I thought, "You know, she's pretty good-much better than her material." I guess I have a real eye for talent because the daughter is played by none other than Hilary Swank, the now two-time Oscar winner. She was good and the only reason I watched to the end. But don't bother watching it now, she's done a lot better than this!!
Very effective, if familiar, drama about alcohol and abuse
raisleygordon6 April 2011
If you're looking for a quality movie about a family and their problems, "Terror in the Family" is the one to see. It doesn't waste time, or sermonize, which is what a drama, especially one with this theme, should be. And it's never slow, either. Also, there's nothing new to it either. And it is predictable. Hence the title, the movie is about a teenager's behavior that is apparently influenced by her boyfriend. At the very end, it turns out it is. In case you haven't seen or heard of any of the actors here, almost the entire cast is made up of familiar faces: Hilary Swank, "Growing Pains" star Joanna Kerns, and "The Wonder Years" star Dan Lauria.
Grade: B+
Grade: B+
avoid at all costs
i5569618 January 2010
A banal collection of sub-Hollywood clichés.The cast try hard but are shackled at all times by teeth-grindingly awful dialogue and the elephantine plot which is the trademark of the T.V. movie.Read a book,take the dog for a walk,anything...just don't waste your time watching this turgid apology of a movie.Swank fans(and I am one)may be tempted to tune in just to see her performance,trust me folks this is not advisable....this stinks big-time.I watched with low expectations and the film failed to live up even to those.If you must watch a T.V.movie then try the excellent"Citizen X" or...erm...well,there must be more that aren't unremittingly dreadful;sadly for all concerned-especially the viewer-this is not one of them.Yuk.
Pretty Underrated I Feel
mariaagnesquinn1 September 2022
It's a clever film without being over the top.
I don't believe it's too hard hitting to handle if any of the themes it touches on have been something the viewer has lived through or is living through.
I believe it could even be a helpful tool for a viewer to identify if any of their issues have yet to be resolved or if they are still in denial.
This potentially could be a good film for a high school PSHE (Personal, Social& Health Education) class to allow some teens and tweens a stepping stone for dialogue and, hopefully, help if needed.
*bonus of course for me was the aunt (played by Kathleen Wilhoite) having heterochromia - different coloured eyes. Can you guess what I have? LOL.
I don't believe it's too hard hitting to handle if any of the themes it touches on have been something the viewer has lived through or is living through.
I believe it could even be a helpful tool for a viewer to identify if any of their issues have yet to be resolved or if they are still in denial.
This potentially could be a good film for a high school PSHE (Personal, Social& Health Education) class to allow some teens and tweens a stepping stone for dialogue and, hopefully, help if needed.
*bonus of course for me was the aunt (played by Kathleen Wilhoite) having heterochromia - different coloured eyes. Can you guess what I have? LOL.
Nothing great
llihilloh28 December 2000
This movie is an alright TV movie. Nothing spectacular but I could watch it again.
Hilary Swank plays a teen who becomes aggressive and violent with her family. Between the constant bickering at home, and running away to spend time with her boyfriend, her life turns out to be more than she can handle.
Swank acts out the role very well but at times her character becomes a little too annoying to handle. Joanna Kerns plays the alcoholic mother who just can't seem to control her daughter as it seems like she's always the one getting knocked around. Kerns is believable as an alcoholic but tries to be a little too complex for her role. Dan Lauria plays the distant father. He acts a little better than Kerns and his character doesn't involve too many sentimental moments, so it's easier to handle him. Everyone else does a good job.
The plot is good but it tends to drag on a little too long. Half of the film could have been cut and it wouldn't have made a difference. After two or three scenes of seeing Swank become violent with her parents, I wanted to turn it off. But I didn't. The ending was alright but like I said, it dragged on and on.
Overall, this is a good TV movie. If you're in the situation like the family that the story revolves around, you might want to watch this.
Hilary Swank plays a teen who becomes aggressive and violent with her family. Between the constant bickering at home, and running away to spend time with her boyfriend, her life turns out to be more than she can handle.
Swank acts out the role very well but at times her character becomes a little too annoying to handle. Joanna Kerns plays the alcoholic mother who just can't seem to control her daughter as it seems like she's always the one getting knocked around. Kerns is believable as an alcoholic but tries to be a little too complex for her role. Dan Lauria plays the distant father. He acts a little better than Kerns and his character doesn't involve too many sentimental moments, so it's easier to handle him. Everyone else does a good job.
The plot is good but it tends to drag on a little too long. Half of the film could have been cut and it wouldn't have made a difference. After two or three scenes of seeing Swank become violent with her parents, I wanted to turn it off. But I didn't. The ending was alright but like I said, it dragged on and on.
Overall, this is a good TV movie. If you're in the situation like the family that the story revolves around, you might want to watch this.
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