Femme battue

Written by the astute Shapiro team (husband and wife, Richard and Esther), this TV-made drama involves Dennis Weaver abusing wife Sally Struthers, sometimes in front of their two kids, and how everyone covers up--desperate to keep this ugly secret in the closet. Many years before "The Burning Bed" came this less-sensational suburban nightmare with concerns which are unfortunately timeless. Dennis Weaver does solid work. As for Sally Struthers, she became something of a punchline in the 1990s with her over-the-top TV commercials, yet as an actress during this era she was very brave (her character here is a world apart from Gloria on "All In The Family"). As a straightforward, no-nonsense examination of abuse, "Intimate Strangers" is harrowing, dramatic food-for-thought designed for grown-up people.

Before we heard a lot about wife beating, this excellent film depicted it from both sides and explored the issue. Sally Struthers is the abused wife, and Dennis Weaver is the confused and sometimes out of control husband. Tyne Daly is great in a supporting role as a friend of the wife.

Weaver does a wonderful job in depicting the husband and making him sympathetic. It is almost painful to watch his torment. He is a man deeply troubled by what it means to be a man, having picked up some bizarre signals in his childhood. As his life's frustrations come to a boil, he takes it out on Struthers, sometimes in front of their children. As his wife eventually struggles for independence, she engenders his jealousy as well as his anger.

This is an very moving and well done film for television. Highly recommended.