Reason for Living: The Jill Ireland Story

Jill Clayburgh may not look like Jill Ireland, but I do feel she was good as a mother with a son addicted to heroin. Jill Clayburgh is a fine actress and she is at the center of this film along with Neill Barry who is her troubled adopted son. The facts of addiction are realistically portrayed. I was taken back that no mention was made that the adopted son was from a marriage to David McCallum. It was not until looking up information on Jill Ireland that I learned of the adopted son being from Jill Ireland's son from a marriage prior to her marriage to Charles Bronson. I found that to be an annoying gap in this film. Elizabeth Ashley was a real asset to this film. Because this was a TV film, I am giving it seven stars for a realistic portrayal of heroin addiction and the fine performances by Jill Clayburgh, Neill Barry, and Elizabeth Ashley. Though, I must say, Jill Clayburgh did struggle with a British accent. I can overlook that fact.

I was very disappointed in this movie for the same reasons the two reviewers above gave. Jill Clayburgh was just terribly miscast as Jill Ireland. It distracted me throughout the movie. While Ms. Ireland's real-life struggle to save her adopted son from drug addiction was admirable, eventually I started hoping for her son to hurry up and O.D. and get it over with it already, instead of having to watch the plot wander through the same territory again and again. It was difficult to work up much sympathy for him. I know that frequent relapses are symptomatic of drug use, but the movie had an obligation to entertain as well as inform. Unfortunately, it didn't do either very well.

I seem to be outnumbered, but I found this a wonderfully acted movie. I knew of Jill Ireland and Charles Bronson from their films together, but not their personal story. I found it incredible and yet heartbreaking as to the final outcome of some of the characters.

Jill Clayburgh is a fine actress and she brings great histrionics to her role as Jill. She is back by an excellent cast and equally fine direction. I never read the book and can't compare as others do so I judge this on what I saw. Lance Henrikien as Bronson was a great match to Clayburgh's talent. They had some of the best moments in the movie. Neill Barry as the adopted son was nothing short of brilliant. He brought painful honesty to the role. Always believable. As his real life Mom, Elizabeth Ashley, was superb. It was good to see her back in films. You don't see much of her these days and she's a good actress. Then the brothers played by Jimmy McNichol and Clint Allen were very supportive in their efforts.

Lila Kaye, the English comedienne, and the late Jack Gwillim played Clayburgh's parents. They were a hoot. Gwillim was amazing in his acting the role of a man losing his facilities. Chalk up high marks for directing by Michal Ray Rhoades and you have an awesome movie for TV.

I have not seen this movie, but I would like to correct previous poster chas77. David McCallum is Scottish not English. He was born in Glasgow which is in Scotland and Scotland is one quarter of Britain not England. I do wish that people from around the world would remember this and not automatically think that everything pertaining to the British and the United Kingdom is English. If it weren't for a Scot by the name of John Logie Baird, television would not exist and neither would the IMDb.

Please take note of my comment.

Thank you.

Jill Ireland was beautiful, talented, courageous and loving woman who fought to save a child that was beyond saving despite the fact that she was at death's door herself. Her story is an inspiration to us all, but frankly speaking this "film" is an insult to her memory. Aside from Lance Hendrikson, the casting is absolutely appalling, especially with Jill Clayburgh as Ireland. I've always liked her as an actress...I usually find her performances pretty spot on, but this, I'm afraid is an embarrassment. She does'nt even come close to capturing the character in looks OR manner and that factor alone is enough to submarine this celluloid work of frustration to the bowels of TV Movie Pergatory for all eternity. Do yourselves a favour...stick to the book and steer clear of the tele!!