Sam's Son

This movie is a loosley based autobiography of the life of Michael Landon. Born Eugene Orowitz tells the story of how Michael Landon struggled with adolence and dreamed of something better for his life. He focused primarily on his teenage years and how athletics helped him gain confidence and direction in his life . The younger version of Landon was played by the late Timothy Patrick Murphy, who died of AIDS in his late 20's, did an excellent job potryaying Landon. Also the supporting cast who also would make individual appearances on Landon's other series, Highway to Heaven, did an exceptional job especially portraying his parents. If you have not seen this film give it a watch you will be glad you did.

"Sam's Son" is notable in the Michael Landon oeuvre as the only big-screen movie he made as a writer-director; it still seems TV-ish both in casting - Timothy Patrick Murphy from "Dallas," Jonna Lee from "Otherworld" - and scope (and in fact it was barely released to cinemas at the time), and it's not bad for what it is; a family drama focusing on the relationship between a father and son, with the son channeling his personal problems into athletics and eventually becoming a champion javelin tosser, played in bookends by the late Mr. Landon.

Interestingly, in 1976 Michael Landon wrote and directed the TV movie "The Loneliest Runner," which is remarkably similar to this movie; both are about teenage boys with humiliating personal problems and extremely unfeeling mothers, both main characters have extremely supporting and caring fathers (in "The Loneliest Runner" the mother is so mean that she hangs out her son's wet sheets for all to see, all of which makes the moment when Brian Keith finally tells her to "shut up" even more satisfying... not that it's manipulative or anything, heaven forfend), both characters grow up to be successful athletes, and both are played in their adult years by guess which cast member of "Little House on the Prairie"? (Clue: Not Richard Bull.)

I guess Michael Landon had more baggage in his real life than his famously schmaltzy TV shows let on. Isn't that always the way? (Of course, that won't come as a surprise to anyone who's seen the TV movie about his family...)

Michael Landon's early life as a teenager growing up in the New Jersey suburbs really is nice to watch. Back then, he was only known as Eugene Orowitz as he struggled with his identity, but eventually finds stardom, romance, and standing up to school bullies. Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson are superb as his parents, while Timothy Patrick Murphy hits it home as the teenaged Landon and Hallie Todd as his love interest.

Look for small parts by Joanna Lee, James Karen, Harvey Gold, and even Landon himself.

First, Eli Wallach and Anne Jackson are an acting dynamic duo. Second, this film is unique among teen movies in that while it doesn't have the most progressive view of girls, it doesn't objectify them either. It's suggested that Gene does secretly masturbate in the bathroom, but we fortunately don't see more than that. Third, Gene is flawed, but a nice kid who respects his parents. Moreover, you don't see many teen movies told from a Jewish perspective. In one heartbreaking scene it shows the devastating effects of institutional oppression and workplace bullying. The script has some odd moments, but it's poignant and intelligent. Not one of the top movies of the 80's but it's up there for me.

I stumbled upon this video by accident at the local library, and I remembered that my mom watched it one time when it was on the USA Network. It seemed to be a pretty good movie from the little I remembered of it, so I went ahead and checked it out. It turned out to be a wise decision. This is one of those movies where you find yourself literally applauding the actions of the main character (Gene Orowitz) and his beloved father, Sam. You can really sense the bond that these two people have as the movie progresses. They both seem to learn the lesson that no matter how unlikely a dream seems to be, it can always come true if you work at it hard enough. This is a nice movie to watch on a lazy afternoon or evening, as it really doesn't take much to get (and stay) involved in the story. It's got humor, suspense, romance, drama, and even a tear-jerking moment or two thrown in for good measure. Overall, it's a good film, worth watching at least once.