Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter

"Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter" is a made for TV movie with a plot very similar to "Terms of Endearment", which came out a few years later. However, while I didn't particularly enjoy the latter movie, I really thought this made for TV film was terrific...and the acting was so incredibly real and honest.

The story begins with Abigail (Gena Rowlands) arriving unannounced on her mother's doorstep. Now, considering that they haven't talked or communicated for years, it's a surprise. And, when Lucy (Bette Davis) lets her in the house, she refuses to speak to her for some time. During this painful silence, Abigail reacts by talking and talking. Finally, an avalanche of hate, anger and hurt come pouring out of Lucy...and she tells her she wants her to leave. But Abigail refuses...and the next few days are painful. Why would she stay when he clearly isn't wanted? Well, it turns out Abigail is dying...and she wants to mend fences with her mom and find a place to die.

The story is depressing...that can't be denied. But the acting by both Rowlands and Davis is wonderful...uncompromising and honest. It's really a treat to see two such terrific actresses and instead of trying to upstage each other, they complemented each other well. It also helped that there was a terrific script. Well worth seeing...and a film to see with some Kleenex nearby.

STRANGERS: THE STORY OF A MOTHER AND DAUGHTER was a deeply moving 1979 TV movie that brought the divine Bette Davis to the small screen near the end of her career. Davis plays a cranky old woman who is totally thrown by the appearance of her daughter (Gene Rowlands)who has come to stay with her, despite the fact that they have been estranged for years. Davis' Lucy can't understand why Rowlands' Abigail now wants to have a relationship with her until it is revealed that Abigail is dying and wants to make peace with her mother. Bette Davis won an Emmy for her work in this well-written tearjerker but Rowlands is equally effective as a woman thrown a devastating curve in her life and realizes that she needs the mother she had forsaken so many years ago. Watching these two dance around reconnecting with each other is sometimes difficult to watch, but these two amazing actresses make this TV movie grand television.

Strangers is a fine made for TV drama, short on plot, but long and deep on character portrayal. The two characters here are mother and daughter Bette Davis and Gena Rowlands and Gena Rowlands has come home to her Rhode Island home town after years away.

Davis is not thrilled to see her and we only get bits and pieces of why she left and stayed away. It was a nasty split though.

The film is the story of their reconciliation and Rowlands has a terrible secret that she eventually tells Davis.

Bette Davis won an Emmy to go with her two Oscars for Strangers. It's a pity that the Emmy couldn't be given jointly to both women. Davis and Rowlands play beautifully off each other.

One of the best made for TV films out there. For Gena's and Bette's fans a must.

Irreproachable middle-aged woman comes home to her strong-willed mother to reconcile their differences--ostensibly; turns out she has a problem to share, which causes her mercurial mama to take offense. Thanks in no small part to the superlative performances by Emmy-winner Bette Davis and Gena Rowlands (two incomparable actresses), this made-for-TV drama turns out to be a wrenching and moving examination of an estranged relationship with a begrudging love still left inside. Milton Katselas' beautiful direction, from a careful, thoughtful teleplay from Michael De Guzman, allows the two ladies room to emote and sound off, yet the histrionics aren't over-the-top. Katselas is able to weave the intricate, touchy emotions together into a nearly-seamless pattern, making this a real acting showpiece for his stars.

A wonderful actress like Bette Davis is reason enough to see any of her films, most of them ranged between good to masterpiece and Davis seldom gave a bad performance (though she did do some projects that didn't use her talents well). Her Margo Channing in 'All About Eve', a favourite of mine, is iconic. Am hardly dismissing Gena Rowlands though, she's always worth watching if not in the same league as Davis.

'Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter' is a must see for both actresses and should have more exposure and be seen more. It is great though that it is remembered and reviewed so fondly. Both Davis and Rowlands are more than well served here, and the treatment of such a relatable and hard-hitting subject matter is both sensitive and poignant, not the easiest of watches by all means but this is meant in a good way.

Davis shows how truly great an actress she was in an initially cranky yet very heartfelt performance. Some of her best work in the later years of her long career and her Emmy win was richly deserved. Rowlands is also very moving, she seldom had a role as poignant as the one she has in 'Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter'. The two have a charming and affecting chemistry together and their relationship and characters have such a realism and make the story even more compelling and emotionally impactful.

It is easy though to overlook the rest of the cast, and while it is the two leads' show they shouldn't be, all giving performances that complement nicely. 'Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter' is sympathetically directed and paced in a way that never feels rushed or draggy.

The writing is sensitive and thought-provoking and the story is lifted by the relationship between Davis and Rowlands and is charming and poignant. As said, it is not the easiest of watches but that works in 'Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter's' favour, showing a realistic treatment of the subject and not trivialising it while not going over-sentimental. The characters are relatable and avoid being clichéd.

Visually, 'Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter' looks lovely, never being too flashy while not looking like something hindered by budget.

Overall, a beautiful emotional story carried by the superb performances of Rowlands and especially Davis. 10/10 Bethany Cox