Everything to Gain

Sweet, romantic film that begins on a very sad basis but ends on a hopeful note. I've always liked Jack Scalia, and even though he's a little older here he's still good-looking. He and Sean Young made an attractive couple. This film is set in Manhattan, but other than some obligatory shots of the skyline and the theater district was obviously filmed elsewhere, like maybe Toronto. That was okay, but what spoiled it for me was the cop who seemed to work completely independently of protocol (a homicide cop with no partner?), bringing a civilian along for interrogations, arrests, etc. Yeah, right. This is totally unrealistic and would no more happen than you would see Steve McQueen chasing somebody at 100 mph in Bullitt. But the love story in the latter half of the film and the chemistry between the stars makes it worthwhile.

The story content aside, I've always found Sean Young to be a bit 'wet' and languid in her acting abilities, but my main critique is, François Laplante the woman responsible for 'costume design' on this film. What was she thinking ? The film was made just over 20 years ago, but even the wedding dress when Mally got married was clearly plucked from another age in the wardrobe warehouse.

In the opening scenes Sean Young is dressed in what must be the worst costume ever seen on film. Ok she's at the top of her game in the advertising world, but really ? a brown checked suit with velvet collar, on top of a brown sweater, on top of a white blouse, with brown trousers and her hair pulled back in a low pony tail, and we are supposed to believe the handsome owner of the company is attracted to someone wearing mens clothing ???

Unlike some of the comments I've read, I believe this movie is VERY REALISTIC! In fact, it's just like life. The way life is always throwing you a curve! Like when a horrible tragedy happens, then in time, along comes something beautiful to touch your life and make you alive again.

I know about tragedy. I lost a 21-year-old daughter in an auto accident. In the film, Mallory (Sean Young), portrays the pain and mourning so well!!! You don't feel like you can go on. You wake up each morning and pray that it was all a horrible nightmare.

Okay, maybe the film WAS unrealistic in one aspect. Where Detective DeMarco (Jack Scalia) allows Mallory to come along with him for the interrogation and arrest, but that's minor to me.

Jack Scalia and Sean Young were very believable. The love they portrayed came across as very genuine.

The moral of the story? What's that saying?..."When God closes a door He always opens a window." A definite 10/10 in my book! :)

Interesting movie dealing with a difficult topic: depression and grief. Mallory is very happily married and has two daughters. They live in a dream house. Her husband and two daughters go to New York and he gets lost in New York. He ends up in a bad neighborhood. Two young men approached his car and wanted money. There was a robbery. For absolutely no reason one of the assailants shoots the three of them. Mallory basically lost her entire family. This movie deals with bereavement. She goes into a deep depression and hits bottom. Mallory did not want to leave her bed. She then befriended the police officer investigating the crime. She relives the entire incident where her family is killed and is healed in the process. The police officer and Mallory become close friends and fall in love. The way this movie deals with depression is very true to the reality of depression. Sad at times but it is a very good movie. It make me wonder what would I do in such predicament.

I watched this TV movie version of my all time favorite book, and was so disappointed! The main story of what happened to Mallory Keswick's family was basically the same. But unlike the movie, Detective DeMarco was a very minor character in the book...certainly no romance! I suggest you read the book; the story is much richer and realistic.