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No Laughing Matter

  • TV Movie
  • 19981998
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 30m
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
139
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Suzanne Somers, Selma Blair, and Chad Christ in No Laughing Matter (1998)
  • Drama
  • Romance
Since 4 year-old Charlie Poleski's dad Matt's death while on police duty, he has been common working mother Emma's pride and joy. She messes up the first meeting with his girlfriend Lauren W... Read allSince 4 year-old Charlie Poleski's dad Matt's death while on police duty, he has been common working mother Emma's pride and joy. She messes up the first meeting with his girlfriend Lauren Winslow's rich, posh parents, because of her recurring drinking problem. Charlie single-han... Read allSince 4 year-old Charlie Poleski's dad Matt's death while on police duty, he has been common working mother Emma's pride and joy. She messes up the first meeting with his girlfriend Lauren Winslow's rich, posh parents, because of her recurring drinking problem. Charlie single-handedly get her sober and into AA, just in time to stand a chance of keeping her office job.... Read all
IMDb RATING
5.9/10
139
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Michael Elias
  • Writers
    • Ted Kristian(story)
    • Michael Elias(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Suzanne Somers
    • Chad Christ
    • Selma Blair
Top credits
  • Director
    • Michael Elias
  • Writers
    • Ted Kristian(story)
    • Michael Elias(teleplay)
  • Stars
    • Suzanne Somers
    • Chad Christ
    • Selma Blair
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 4User reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos

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    Top cast

    Edit
    Suzanne Somers
    Suzanne Somers
    • Emma Poleskias Emma Poleski
    Chad Christ
    Chad Christ
    • Charlie Poleskias Charlie Poleski
    Selma Blair
    Selma Blair
    • Lauren Winslowas Lauren Winslow
    Robert Desiderio
    Robert Desiderio
    • Richard Warrenas Richard Warren
    Ann Bosler
    • Corrieas Corrie
    Frank Gerrish
    Frank Gerrish
    • George Nevias George Nevi
    James Brewster Thompson
    • Daryll Lemayas Daryll Lemay
    Brad Slocum
    • Larryas Larry
    Elizabeth Hansen
    Elizabeth Hansen
    • Janet Winslowas Janet Winslow
    Michael Flynn
    Michael Flynn
    • Robert Winslowas Robert Winslow
    Melissa Pace-Tanner
    • Police Womanas Police Woman
    • (as Melissa Pace)
    David Jean Thomas
    David Jean Thomas
    • Old Copas Old Cop
    Dawn Bluford
    • Sarahas Sarah
    Laraine Mestman
    • Instructoras Instructor
    William Moore
    • Bartenderas Bartender
    Allegra Bel Pizzino
    • Katie Poleski Winslowas Katie Poleski Winslow
    Joey Miyashima
    Joey Miyashima
    • Workeras Worker
    Richard Dayhuff
    • Ministeras Minister
    • Director
      • Michael Elias
    • Writers
      • Ted Kristian(story) (teleplay)
      • Michael Elias(teleplay)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Since 4 year-old Charlie Poleski's dad Matt's death while on police duty, he has been common working mother Emma's pride and joy. She messes up the first meeting with his girlfriend Lauren Winslow's rich, posh parents, because of her recurring drinking problem. Charlie single-handedly get her sober and into AA, just in time to stand a chance of keeping her office job. Charlie's father's police friend, Richard Warren, becomes her lover and his mentor. Alas, Chad and Lauren also find themselves in another tough situation which changes everything. —KGF Vissers
    • drinking
    • kiss
    • undressing
    • underwear
    • therapy
    • 4 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Romance
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for some sensuality and thematic elements involving alcoholism and teen pregnancy
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    User reviews4

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Suzannne Somers does quite well...she is not over the top;
    which says a great deal, for a Lifetime Movie. While the other characters are a bit underdeveloped, the audience empathizes with Ms. Somers, who portrays a widow raising a son,(Chad Allen) on her own.

    Robert Desiderio portrays a concerned suitor (to Somers) who tries to help Charlie (Jonathan Jackson) decide between college or young fatherhood; while the story is hardly original, Desiderio adds substance to the film, as does Suzanne Somers.

    In real life, Ms. Somers endured veritable hell, as her own father was a full-blown alcoholic; this is part of the reason, I believe, that she does so well in this movie, and deserves special mention. I would like to see her in more of these roles, where she has a chance to be more than the trite blonde femme fatale.

    Selma Blair has the part of the troubled girlfriend; this was the only weak link to the story; while Somers is struggling to survive and pay her mortgage, the son's girlfriend lives in a mausoleum; this is the usual Lifetime plot exaggeration, to show the audience that Somers (the alcoholic) has it worse than the "öther people" of upper classes. This is a banal exaggeration; think of real people who "have it all"(Betty Ford, Elizabeth Taylor, Kate Moss; et. al.) and you will see my point.

    While there are several flaws in the story flow, Somers especially makes the story work. She is believable and sympathetic; the part where she finally attends AA is realistic.

    The one issue that was hard to swallow was her employer, generously offering her 3 months sabbatical, after learning of her illness. This movie may have been even more effective if it addressed real-life employment issues, where people are fired for having excessive absences even due to medical illness. This is a prevalent problem in American society, which is rarely addressed by Hollywood filmmakers.

    Despite this, it is a worthwhile movie, and if you have any friends or relatives with this problem, it will certainly show you the unintentionally selfish acts of the alcoholic, who can rarely receive treatment until they decide to do so.
    helpful•1
    0
    • MarieGabrielle
    • Dec 18, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1, 1998 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Sueños rotos
    • Filming locations
      • Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
    • Production companies
      • Great Falls Productions
      • Universal Television Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo

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