Leave of Absence

I really can't stand how TV-movies continue to generate these virtually terrible, immoral characters and expect people to like them. This makes no sense to me. These people would not be receiving any sort of a reward for their behavior in reality, so please don't subject audiences to stories about them!

The character of disgust is played by Brian Dennehey, of all people. He is a middle-aged man with a wife (Blythe Danner) and a daughter in her late teens (Noelle Parker) and his life seems fairly happy right now, as he lives each day with the family and even gets to go to work with his daughter, who works with him at a museum (?). Unfortunately, she is not the only woman working for him. There is another woman, an architect called Nell. Nell likes Brian, Brian likes Nell, and they began a torid, but secret affair...until Nell is stricken with cancer. Now Dennehey can no longer keep his affair a secret. Not only does he tell his wife and daughter about his loving Nell, he drops another bomb shell by announcing that he wants to LIVE WITH HER until she dies...and then he plans to return home as though nothing has happened!

Dennehey's character is faced with much resistance from Danner and Parker, of course, but he nevertheless goes and starts to live with Nell, who is getting worse. In fact, Nell's health becomes so poor in such a short time that one can almost feel sorry for her, and even feel glad for Dennehey...if he had not done what he did to his family. However, judging fron how much time Dennehey and Nell receive, I think the audience is supposed to ACCEPT what Dennehey has done, and hope that his family will let him back when Nell returns. I don't think so!

I get tired of the immoral plots of much TV-movies, and this is no exception. What's even worse is that MOST immoral characters in TVM's are seen as villains, and this one goes and makes their guy a hero? Who ARE the writers of this movie?

After a couple of false starts with films that bored the life out of me on a Friday night, I stumbled upon this old gem on Prime. I love the 80s/90s love affairs- turned-obsessive films and old Lifetime movies, it's my go to comfort genre. This was not a stalker type of affair, but a domestic drama with a solid marriage unexpectedly rocked. What is it about these older films that are so easy and clean cut- a basic, everyday life kind of storyline, no frills or fuss. Good solid acting. The actors are so convincing they may as well be the character. You also get the warm and fuzzy nostalgic feeling (although someone's marriage is falling apart, sorry) of simpler times. I found this satisfying and perfect to watch with the fireplace on and a warm mug of tea.

I really am not sure what the self acclaimed 'morality police' are doing here (lol) but I saw this movie completely differently.

Here is a situation that moves us and asks us to explore the frailty and imperfections in human relationships. There are two lines in the movie that I found poignant - 'A relationship is an idea' and 'Some people just fit'.

The word,'immoral', that has been quoted on this review list several times is an objective word. This movie is an intelligent, thinking person's film. It explores love, relationships, commitment and how things are not always black and white; and as much as we try to deny it, it may be possible to love two people at the same time. I am also tempted to quote John Lennon - 'Life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans'.

Personally I would much rather watch an exploration of the human psyche in relationships than murder (which is a subject I believe of many Brian Dennehy films).

I must also comment on the 'spoiler' that was in one of the reviews on here about the end of the movie. I won't comment on the ending as the other reviewer did as I don't wish to ruin it for anyone but I will say that I saw the ending in a different light to what the other reviewer did so don't let it 'spoil' the movie for you.

Well acted but a very shallow script.Brian Deneheny doesn't get much to work with and his interaction with the vibrant Jackie Bissett is uneven The premise of an affair with a dying woman holds lots of promise for a deep and satisfying plot. However, it just floats on obvious developments and ends in a whimper.

I am an unconditional fan of Brian Dennehy ( like Charles Durning ). I like them physically and generally like the characters they portray in films. This film is a little different because it is immoral, and I'm not quite sure why the director made it. The offending item ( above and beyond Dennehy himself of course ) is Jacqueline Bisset whom I love very much too - a real lady with a lovely face and accent. This charm cannot hide the fact that Dennehy does the dirty on his wife who is far less attractive ( I presume this was done on purpose to manipulate the spectator ! ) The punishment for this is that this happiness cannot last because the third party is condemned to die of cancer, but what is almost unbelievable is Dennehy's request to his wife that he goes to live with Bisset for the time of her illness, and that his wife should take him back when Bisset snuffs it. What a cheek ! Of course the ending is otherwise and he gets the just desserts. In spite of the immoral story line, I found the acting very good and plausible, I am biased because I love both of the main actors but cared little for Dennehy's wife who does not come over as an attractive person. In short, I would recommend the film for the actors and acting but would warn would-be viewers of the immorality of its plot. Obviously in France ( and perhaps certain other European countries like the UK or Holland ) this sort of behaviour does go on in real life and the media would have us believe ( I hasten to add, though, that it cuts no ice with me ! ) that it is " normal " but viewers in other countries may well be shocked by certain aspects of this film. You are warned !