Surviving

I was at a low point in my life when I saw this movie on TV. I had been having many suicidal thoughts and was in therapy for Depression. This movie convinced me NEVER to attempt suicide! Many scenes in this movie have stayed vividly in my mind. Although it's a sad movie, it also contains hope, especially for families who have been affected by someone's suicide. For me, seeing this movie might have been one of the MOST important influences that has resulted in me being alive today! When I talk to suicidal people, I tell them how much this movie impressed me and kept me from attempting suicide. If you have a family member or friend who is depressed or has talked of suicide, please watch this movie with him/her. Although it may make evoke some painful feelings in the person, it will also give them many insights on why suicide is not the answer. I recommend being with the depressed person when they watch it, and also staying with them afterwards to talk about the many feelings it brings up. Therapists - This is an excellent movie - try to obtain it and watch it! I have gone on in my life to major in Psychology and this movie very accurately portrays the many emotions...both in suicidal people and in their families. I hope this movie may prevent someone else from committing suicide. Bless you. Karen

Excellant heartwrenching tearjerker about two teenagers in love. When they discover they cannot be together they do something that will affect their families for life. the two families must come together and help each other deal with their problems faced by what their children have done. Excellent acting, direction and a moving score. Recommended highly. Saw it a long time ago on tv. wish it was on video.

I saw this movie 16 years ago when i was 16. I had tried to commit suicide the year before and what I saw in the movie was real, so Real I couldn't keep from crying about it over and over. I am now trying to find a copy for my two oldest teenage children to show them the desperation, depression, and aftermath of decisions made. I honestly think it should be made compulsory viewing in high schools. The acting was a little bit over the top from everyone but it was the subject matter and emotions portrayed that told the story more than anything. If anyone knows where i can get a copy of this movie i would really be appreciative. i would pay well.

I found this movie while channel surfing the other night and since I'm a huge fan of Molly Ringwald, I decided to watch it. Well I was hooked instantly. It dealt with the very serious issue of teen suicide and how the families of the victims are affected. I found this movie absolutely fascinating and it wasn't over the top at all. Everyone in this film gave outstanding performances especially Molly and Paul Sorvino. By the last half hour of this movie I was crying hysterically and continued to for almost half an hour after it ended. It brought back so many of the feelings I had experienced in my early teens and found it very relateable. I highly reccomend this movie to anyone and can't wait until I can see it again!

Everyone in this film gives awesome performances. Ellen Burstyn, Len Cariou, Paul Sorvino and Marsha Mason are all great as the parents who have to face the ultimate tragedy. People have often said Molly Ringwald is a terrible actress, but she gives a fine performance here and it really touched my heart. It made me so angry that these two stupid kids could have been so selfish. Every week in the United States over one thousand kids take their own lives. This is a long film but you are riveted every minute. There is one tragic footnote I wanted to add, the two young actors that played the siblings of the boy in the film who killed himself both met tragic ends in real life. Heather O'Rourke died in 1988 when she was only twelve of stomach cancer and River Phoenix died in 1993 of a drug overdose.