Intimate Agony

I remember seeing this movie when it originally aired on television in 1983. The film is a morality play that deals with what was then a growing epidemic, herpes as a sexually transmitted disease. Ironically, not long after this film aired, the spread of AIDS was making worldwide headlines. How tragic that these circumstances render "Intimate Agony" nearly moot.

INTIMATE AGONY stars Anthony Geary as Dr. Kyle Richards, who fills in for a vacationing doctor (Arthur Hill) on Paradise Isle. What, at first, appears to be an easy gig, turns dire, when Richards finds himself up against a herpes epidemic among the randy, overprivileged denizens of the island.

This occurs while Richards is attempting to start up a relationship with lovely Marsha (Judith Light), who seems a bit coy. Could she be infected as well?

Meanwhile, tennis pro, and all-around anal cavity, Tommy (Mark Harmon, hiding behind a hedge-sized mustache) does his best to help spread the disease, and another genius decides not to tell his pregnant wife about his condition!

Also, a local gazillionaire (Robert Vaughn) must deal with his daughter's STD shame. The pressure mounts for Richards to drop his crusade. Can he stop the madness before the whole island is crawling with the bug?

Part soap opera, and part public service announcement, this movie goes into detail about the symptoms and effects of genital herpes. It's probably not the best date movie!

EXTRA POINTS FOR: Geary's astonishing mane whipping about whenever he's outdoors...

I was working at a large medical facility with a busy outpatient clinic in 1983. Herpes was then a shocking diagnosis for patients, in that it was one of the first STDs that couldn't be treated/cured by a shot or course of antibiotics. People had become very complacent about STDs - until the advent of herpes and then the HIV virus, it was simple to cure most STDs. It is still a very prevalent STD, with the CDC estimating that approximately 775,000 new cases are diagnosed every year (as of 2013). Much education is still needed so that people can be aware of the risks not only to themselves but to their partners. This movie was very informative and treated the subject with compassion and dignity, addressing the very real feelings and emotions of those affected. The acting was quite good and the characters convincing in their roles. I would definitely use this video as a teaching tool for young people.

Knowing that "Intimate Agony" was an early '80s made for television movie that dealt with the hot topic of herpes, I was prepared for a treatment that would come across as somewhat campy thirty years later. But for the most part, I didn't find it that way. While there are a few brief nervous giggles here and there, the movie overall comes across as a serious and sober look at a sensitive topic. The view of herpes is balanced, showing that the infected can often lead fulfilling lives despite the disease, but also showing that some people in some circumstances can have their lives ruined or severely damaged by an infection to themselves or close people in their lives. The acting is pretty good, with special kudos going to Anthony Geary as the doctor who realizes he has to do something about the epidemic. This isn't a "fun" movie, but if you watch it when you are in the mood for something more serious, chances are you'll find it surprisingly compelling.

If this film doesn't make you rush out and join the Shaker religion nothing will!!! OK seriously, this is a great film which isn't preachy or ultra liberal. It's a great drama about people having to face the awful consequences of their irresponsible actions.

Dr. Kyle Richards (Anthony Geary AKA Luke from 'General Hospital') is a whistle blowing physician temporarily taking over a practice on a resort island (Not tropical, the Hamptons or something like it) of rich upper class whites.

Unfortunately Dr. Kyle quickly discovers that like so much of America the island is infested with STDs, including his close friends.

Instead of going ultra liberal and preaching "responsible promiscuity" Dr. Kyle encourages people to be open with their illnesses and most importantly tell their lovers! As his best friend Mark Harmon correctly despairs, if he tells women it will put an end to his promiscuous life. Dr. Kyle doesn't argue. He knows it's a good thing. It's just sad it took an incurable decease to make people do what they should have done long ago.

The cast is very impressive including as I mentioned Mark Harmon, Robert Vaughn as a corrupt real estate tycoon, and many more.

This film is very refreshing as it is very different from other self defeating films about STDs where an AIDS spokesman warns about the danger of AIDS and then says, "But go ahead and screw anything that moves as long a you wear a condom." Or the ridiculous commercials where people boast, "We're doing more to prevent the spread of genital herpes." DON'T DO MORE to prevent herpes! DO LESS and you won't get herpes!