Blind Spot

This is a better than average Hallmark/Made for TV after school special type of movie with a moral. Laura Linney is good as a girl who is addicted to cocaine, and her parents try desperately to get her back on the right track. It's a pretty basic and predictable plot, and I usually can't stand these kind of Hallmark movies where you know everything that's going to happen, but the acting makes this one better than average.

This TVM directed by Michael Toshiyuki Uno is notable for how Laura Linney steals the tube, as the daughter of Joanne Woodward as Washington congressman faced with the issue of drug addiction. The use of real life pictures of Woodward with her own daughter ,and the fact that she co-produced, tells you that the subject has personal significance for Woodward. Unfortunately for her the teleplay by Nina Shergold, based on a story by Michael McTaggart and Ellen M Violett, presents Woodward as a harridan, evidence of the negative effects of a working mother. At one point Fritz Weaver as her husband says "Trying to reason with you is like standing in front of a bulldozer". If the idea of making the drug addict a torch singer who idolises Billie Holliday is perhaps rather overstated, the teleplay also raises a generational comparison between drug taking and alcoholism. The music score by Patrick Williams is used to lovely effect in one scene, when a baby is first held, but otherwise we get soaked in inspirational uplift. Watch for Patti D'Arbanville, and Allison Janney.

'Blind Spot' tells the story of a Congresswoman (Nell Harrington played by JoAnne Woodward) running for Senate whose world is shattered when her son-in-law dies in a tragic car accident. This devastating event leads to revelation after revelation, including the fact that the accident was related to Charlie's drug abuse and use of cocaine by Nell's pregnant daughter, Phoebe (Laura Linney).

The film chronicles the aftermath of the accident and the effects it has on Nell, her husband, Phoebe, and ultimately Phoebe's child. It is a hard-hitting drama about the devastating consequences illicit drug use has on the addict, the family, an unborn child and portrays the struggling relationships between Nell, her husband, and Phoebe.

In addition to its amount of substance, the thing that sets this movie above other made-for-TV flicks is its splendid acting. Woodward portrays the struggling mother in a convincing, emotional fashion. The supporting cast does a fine job as well. But its Linney who really shines here. She turns in a fantastic performance, portraying a range of emotions (guilt, desperation, anger, hate, remorse). I believe this movie helped shape Linney's career, since it was the first time anyone really got to see her ACT on film.

'Blind Spot' is definitely worth seeing.