The Truth About Jane

I managed to see this Lifetime movie dealing with teenage homosexuality. I am a huge fan of movies dealing with homosexuality but I think this movie painted an unrealistic picture of what many gay teens have to deal with. Unlike Jane's parents, most parents of gay kids will not attend PFLAG meetings, will not have friends that they know are gay, and will not stand side by side with their kids as they deal with their children's attraction for people of the same sex. In a way I think it devalues how tortuous it is for a kid dealing with a person's coming out process in their life when almost the majority of coming out experiences are downright bad. Still, it's hard to dislike Stockard Channing, and I think she did well under the circumstances that the script presented, and I think a film like this must be seen in the context of how television is just beginning to make movies that address homosexuality. In that way, I give this film credit for at least addressing some of the difficulties of coming out.

This film is based on some stilted or manipulated situations, especially those involving the glib wisdom dispensed by Jane's teacher and friends. In fact, the teacher is merely a plot device, showing up as a "deus ex machina" at exactly the right moments to help Jane.

But the plight of coming out is well portrayed and genuine.

The feeling that "no where is safe" is the terror experienced by many homosexuals, especially teens. It is good that a TV-movie like this, as pat as it is, was broadcast on Lifetime, the cable network aimed at women. I believe women can overcome the fear of homosexuality better than men who have been indoctrinated into the macho myth that fosters homophobia.

First, you have to go into this knowing that it's a made for TV movie, and therefor can't go as deeply into the issues that a regular movie could. That said, it's a pretty good movie which mainly focuses on Jane's family. It was really interesting to see Jane's liberal, open-minded mother react negatively to the news that her daughter was gay. Jane's family made a descent from a strong, caring unit into a torn apart mess. This descent happens gradually and was pretty believable. Towards the end of the movie, when the situation is at it's worse, Jane's father asks her mother, "How did we get here?" Unlike many Lifetime movies, where the teenagers seem to go crazy for no good reason, it was easy to see where the family's problems stemmed from and why they were so plagued with drama. The movie isn't perfect by any means, but the acting is strong, the relationships are touching (especially between Jane and her father) and the resolutions are uplifting but more realistic than what you'd be used to seeing on TV movies. Some good performances by Jane's mother, (Stockard Channing), Jane's father, (James Naughton) and Jane herself (Ellen Muth). With an altered "TV movie scale," I'd give it 4/5 stars.

A dear friend had a very similar experience to Jane and I got a chance to be her Mrs. Walcott, and I can say this movie was great until the end. I suppose that all Lifetime movies have to have good sappy endings, but this one was a tad bit unrealistic. I liked seeing Ellen Muth in something that wasn't Dead Like Me (I love that show!), and of course, Stockard Channing is always brilliant, even if I did want to shake and shake her through the whole experience.

It's a difficult thing for gay and lesbian kids of religious or "proper" parents to come out. We hear stories about it all the time, about parents disowning them and writing them out of the will and brothers and sisters who won't talk to them for the rest of their lives. It's so sad and so devastating. Hopefully that's the message this movie will bring to the table - love your children (sisters/brothers/whatever) no matter who they choose to love.

I was completely amazed and touched by this movie. The performances were great, specially the one by Stockard Channing. The plot was very well developed and the characters all seem extremely believable. A really great movie!