The Accident: A Moment of Truth Movie (1997 TV Movie) User Reviews

Laughable, cheezy, clichéd view of suburban teenage trauma

[cecilylinn · 5/10 · 29 January 2006]

I enjoy watching "Moment of Truth" movies not for their aesthetic value or dramatic, moralizing tone... but because of the trashy, bizarrely acted sensationalism. I'm a bit of a lifetime movie aficionado. I'm drawn in by the portrayal of such strangely clichéd scenarios centered around some sort of tragedy or taboo. And the dialog is just, well, the way girls dramatize with their barbie dolls.

This movie focuses on a whiney teen who has killed a friend by driving drunk. She boohoos about not being able to attend graduation while continuing to drink her endless supply of plastic bottled vodka. The actress playing the teen looks about 26, as is common in these films.

The film also features a "lifetime cliché" - the teenage party. The ones depicted in this film are particularly lame and unrealistic... watching the party extras "do their thing" in the background of the dramatic dialog is amusing in itself. It's quite apparent when the writers / set dressers / and directors have never actually attended a teenage party in their lifetimes.

This is the sort of film that I'd really enjoy laughing at back in the day during high school health class. Yes, the subject matter is stinging and potentially thought-provoking, but the production values of these films are generally too cheestastic for those qualities to emerge.

All in all, the punching your own face in the mirror while screaming "I hate you" scene pretty much sums up the subtle, sensitive depiction of tragedy you're apt to find in the "moment of truth" movies.

Not Justice

[kirknclaysmom · 7/10 · 12 May 2008]

The movie was very good but the part that bothered me was the fact that nothing happened to the girl that caused the accident. She chose to drink, she chose to drive, and even though she may not have wanted the girl to die, the choices that she made caused it to happen. She was not punished for killing someone. That was so sad that the family had to go through that and the girl that killed her drank through the whole movie. She wanted her friends and others to boycott graduation because she thought she was not being treated fairly. OMG! The whole movie was poor poor Lizzie. Please tell me this girl did not get a happily ever after life. No one wishes her dead but she should have paid for her crime. I am not sure why they continued to have alcohol in their home and the fact that the girl was such a liar did not make it any better. If she had been poor and not an honor student, there would not have been a movie in the first place. The movie was done very well it was just the injustice that bites!

You killed her as sure as if you put a gun to her head and pulled the trigger

[sol-kay · 7/10 · 15 May 2008]

**SPOILERS** Celebrating their upcoming graduation from high school Lizzie and Janie, Bonnie Root & Marisa Rudiak, got themselves stoned on booze and beer. With the designated driver Kate, Deanna Mlligan, also a bit tipsy the two girls decide to drive home despite their being in no condition to be behind the wheel. What happens later destroys both girls, Lizzie & Janie, lives. Lizzie ends up with a concussion and Janie dead!

It's later with Lizzie still trying to get over her friends Janie's tragic death that it comes out that she, being behind the wheel at the time of the accident, had a alcohol/blood lever of .12 making her legally drunk. If Lizzie didn't have enough problems already she now has to face the music, in court, in her responsibility in Janie's death and that in the end will, if she wasn't already, turn Lizzie into a hard core alcoholic.

The film accurately not only shows what drinking and driving can do to those involved but their families and friends as well. Lizzie who's already depressed over her parents Valerie & Ray Williams, Donna Bullock & Matt McCoy, separation is now driven to drink not only over her responsibly for Janie's death but her being socially ostracized by everyone in town for it.

Even though she was given a suspended sentence in her vehicular homicide trial and made a touching and heartfelt attempt for reconciliation to Jani'e single mom Mrs. Nancy Palmer, Teddi Siddall, and brother Ben, Scott Vickaryous, forgiveness was not in the cards for Lizzie.

We get to see how a sweet and friendly girl like Lizzie descends into self-loathing not just over what happened to her best friend Janie but how she's treated by Janie's mom and brother Ben as well as her classmates in high school. We also get to see how booze destroys those who are addicted to it both physically as well as emotionally.

Lizzie for her part still didn't learn her lesson even after her trial and let the bottle, in this case a fifth of vodka, control her life. ***SPOILER ALERT****It wasn't until Lizzie got behind the wheel again, being both boozed up and with a suspended license, that reality hit her right between the eyes and finally made her finally turn for help. Lizzie became a a member of AA, Alcoholic Anonymous, which in the end not only saved her life but got her back the respect and forgiveness of those, like both Janie's mom and brother Ben, who up until then wanted to have nothing to do with her.

We watched this in Driver's Ed

[amugglenamedCaity · 8/10 · 15 November 2006]

Lizzie, Janie and Kate were three best friends who shared a love of a lot of different things: studying, partying, and drinking. Both Lizzie and Janie were bright honor students, but lacked some common sense. Especially on one particular night, a night that Lizzie decided to drive both herself and Janie home from a pre-Graduation party while still under the influence. Both girls had done this several times before, but nothing bad had ever happened, until now. That night, the girls were in a terrible car accident, with only Lizzie making it out alive. The movie continues on as Lizzie struggles with both the consequences of her mistake and the knowledge of what the mistake caused.

I believe this movie is good because it truly shows you what can happen, and what the consequences can be, when you drink and drive. I think this should be a required movie to watch for all people preparing to obtain their licenses.

Please, everyone, never drink and drive.

Good flick, but I have a few problems with it.

[soonerzs · 23 June 2003]

Lizzie Williams is a high school senior and an honor student with a drinking problem. Now, I know parents automatically want to believe their children but these parents were so consumed with their own affairs that they didn't notice that their under-age daughter was constantly getting smashed??? It's not like she was doing a little drinking with friends...she was getting hammered...often. Also, if you discover that your child is addicted to alcohol, would you continue to keep it in your home? If you have any sense, the answer would be, "No!" On the other hand, the movie does a good job portraying the perils of under-age drinking (or any age of drunkenness for that matter) and the consequences that may follow.

Well-directed message movie...

[MarieGabrielle · 8/10 · 16 January 2008]

well-written and effective, this LMN addition is worth a view, especially by any teens and parents concerned about drinking and driving. The message: it only takes one mistake to destroy a life. Many lives are affected, not just the victim, his/her family, but EVERYONE.

Kate and Lizzie (well-portrayed by Deanna Milligan and Bonnie Root) are celebrating high school graduation with their friend Janie.

At first it seems harmless, socializing, having a few drinks, they have their freedom and can go out and party. In one scene they are pulled over by a cop, were drunk, but get away with it. They drive to parties, enjoying their senior year.

One night as Lizzie is driving them home, she incurs a tragic accident her friend Janie dies, and her life is altered forever.

Bonnie Root is excellent as Lizzie, who becomes suicidal, self-hating and in despair. Her parents attempt to help her, but she at first refuses treatment. She continues to drink and drive, and at one point knocks a child off his bicycle. In court she is sentenced to probation; unintentional vehicular manslaughter.

This film addresses the fall-out and complicated issues of alcoholism/binge drinking. More than 50,000 teens per year are involved in alcohol related accidents, many fatal. However, the film does not just preach, it shows the frustrations of Lizzie's parents, Lizzie's own issues, and why she chooses to drink, and how the victims family is forever affected as well. Very well-presented. 8/10.

Time for a collection of 'Moment of Truth' DVDs

[juliafwilliams · 23 September 2005]

'Playing to Win', 'Champion's Fight (a/k/a 'Shattered Hearts'), and 'The Accident' -- all gripping movies under the popular 'Moment of Truth' franchise. (Oh, let us not forget 'Secret Between Friends'). If ever there is a collection of movies that belongs on DVD, the 'Moment of Truth' franchise is the one.

'The Accident' deals with the dynamics of drinking and driving in a tactful and educational way and should send a strong message to adults AND children (future adolescents) -- DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE, and if you believe you have a drinking problem, or if anyone you know has a drinking problem, GET SOME HELP! For your sake and the sake of those around you.

WE NEED MORE FILMS LIKE THIS ONE EVERY YEAR!

[whpratt1 · 10/10 · 19 June 2003]

Hollywood for years portrayed drinking and smoking in all its films and continues to do the same thing in this century, making it look like a very important part of the social life for everyone, rich or poor, young or old. If you had a hard days work or wanted to have a ball, they showed famous actors and actresses having a martini and smoking in almost every scene. Drinking was an escape from the reality of having to face life and its many problems we all have to face. This picture about three(3) young gals looking for a good time, showing false ID's is an on going problem and does not end with this movie. (it is done with High School & College Students) Bonnie Root, who plays Lizzie Williams, enjoys drinking Vodka straight from the bottle, while other girls, Janie Palmer (Marisa Rudiak) and Kate Jenkins (Deanna Milligan) like to drink wine coolers or just plain beer. (all of these are addictive) As the movie progresses, each girl seems to drink occasionally and increases as time goes by, however, Lizzie seems to enjoy drinking more and more vodka. They are all very intelligent young ladies with straight A's, and have been told many times about the danger of drinking, however, they do not think it can happen to them, they really are not aware of the dangers of really drinking and its very addictive abilities to destroy your body and mind(BRAIN CELLS). One of he girls was able to turn off their drinking habits with no withdrawal symptoms(which is very hard to break, like smoking, but WORSE!) and went about their lives, however, Lizzie has an never ending fight with drinking. There really is no END to this movie so long as people DRINK & DRIVE and care nothing about their brothers and sisters in this world around them. The movie proved that you can really enjoy the natural JOYS of living without a DRINKING HIGH which vanishes the next day. Some of these girls thought that just drinking beer and wine was not as bad as hard booze, and found out it all leads them in the same direction. Having to drink everyday or on schedule, is a good sign you need HELP!

Lizzie, what the hell were you thinking?

[covergirl10452 · 10/10 · 2 July 2009]

After seeing The Accident: A Moment of Truth Movie, I am so appalled in Lizzie and her friends' behavior. They had no business drinking and driving, especially when they're under age. They have lost their minds. Everything the teacher told them about doing drugs before they graduate, they should have listened. Now, Janie is dead and can forget about graduating and going to college. That's out of the picture. When people tell you something for your own good, please listen. Doing something brainless, like drinking and driving, can either get you in trouble, like Lizzie, or cost you your life, like Janie. Just like Lizzie's father said "What the hell were you thinking?" Unbelievable. Well, I hope she's happy. She killed her best friend and nobody is going to see her again. Well, as for Lizzie, I hope she never drinks again, even if she is at legal age to drink.

We watched this in Driver's Ed a few weeks ago.

[Megan_Koumori · 19 April 2003]

The story focuses on Lizzie, Janie and Kate (Gee, really original names people.), three best friends since kindergarten. Kate's the sickly sweet one, Janie's the rebel, and Lizzie's somewhere in-between. Lizzie has a crush on Janie's dumb jock brother, and the feeling is mutual.

Lizzie and Janie (who are none too bright)'s favorite past time is to get smashed on the weekend with vodka and beer. One night, they drive home drunk and end up crashing. Lizzie lives, Janie (the interesting one) doesn't. Now Lizzie's on trial for vehicular homicide, Janie's mother's got a thirst for vengeance (She does a good job of making us wish she has been in the car), and Dumb Jock Brother's not speaking to Lizzie.

The movie is well meaning, but so completely corny, it kills the message off. And for some reason, Lizzie's mom looks too old for Lizzie's dad (Just my opinion, people.). So don't drink and drive, and you won't have to watch this movie (unless you take Coach Brown's class).

A Little Insight Into The Real Lizzie And Public Service Speaking.

[Brakathor · 6 September 2016]

The girl who this is based on actually came to speak at my high school, way back in the day. She seemed like a total basket case to me, and nothing like the girl who portrays her in the movie. At the time, she was in her mid to late twenties, dressed and spoke in a very tomboyish juvenile sort of way, and kind of seemed like someone who psychologically had never left high school. She even admitted herself that when she first started doing public talks, which was part of her community service, many people thought she seemed too unstable to do it.

Not a particularly effective movie in my opinion, because it seems to gloss over a troubled and erratic personality type that led to such a great deal of self destruction, and attempts to reduce and condense it into a couple month period after the accident, in turn making most of the turmoil appear to be a reaction rather than the cause.

The real life Lizzie went on about her alcoholism, how she would lie cheat and steal to get what she wanted, how she would often steal money from her mother, knew what she was doing was wrong, and hated herself for doing it, but was in a vicious cycle of self destruction, where being in that place was too normalizing for her to do anything else. Kind of someone who's life was destined to be a long painful drawn out mia culpa.

Mostly, she garnered a fairly positive reaction from the kids at the presentation. In my day, it was very popular, and probably still is, for school administrations to try to shock kids into behaving in accordance with whatever the present mode of choice happens to be. Is unleashing complete basket cases who use kids as their own personal mode of catharsis a productive way to teach them reason? Who knows, but being able to postulate on all of this now as a result, sure is fun.

i taped this movie back in september

[fivestheone-1 · 7 January 2004]

i saw it on lifetime movie network and i think that it should be educational for anyone to watch.

when i watch that movie over and over again i think that lizzie did tell the truth in court when she killed janie in the car accident by accident. i think that nancy and ben wanted to hurt lizzie in the movie by not speaking to her and not letting her go to graduation cause lizzie was looking forward to graduation all year.

i took drivers ed my senior year and we had a guest speaker talk about the dangers of drunk driving and what it can do to u. we also got to watch a video about it, and in PE as well we even got to wear goggles by trying to throw a ball to the guest speaker, and in PE, we also got to try to shoot a basketball into the hoop.

don't drink and drive everyone, be safe drivers.