God Bless the Child

TV Movie
1988
Not Rated
1h 33m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Mare Winningham and Dorian Harewood in God Bless the Child (1988)

Single mother Theresa Johnnson becomes homeless, loses her job, and tries to survive with her young daughter Hillary through charities and public shelters.Single mother Theresa Johnnson becomes homeless, loses her job, and tries to survive with her young daughter Hillary through charities and public shelters.Single mother Theresa Johnnson becomes homeless, loses her job, and tries to survive with her young daughter Hillary through charities and public shelters.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.2/10

498

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination total

Photos7

User reviews28

7.2498

Featured reviews

10Brian14Leonard

Of course this isn't available on video...

...because if it were more widely distributed, more people would be aware of the shattering effects of poverty and the dilemmas of the "working poor" in the USA. We can't have that, can we?

The film, as others have said, is a gripping and sad picture of a decline into destitution. Mare Winningham is terrific.

Poetryangel2004

I have never forgotten this movie!

I watched this movie so much as a kid. I have never forgotten it. It has made an everlasting impression in my mind. I am not quite sure how to find this movie again, but it was so touching. Mare Winningham portrayed a woman so much in love with her daughter she gave her up to someone who could better care for her and it was so touching. I cry every time i see this movie. I will never forget the struggles that family went through. It is nice to see the way people helped her the best they could. The man who gave out mac and chesse! I absolutely would recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. I'd like to thank the director for making a moving so touching and so unforgettable!

ketchkev

A very Hard-Hitting Film!

I watched this movie on Lifetime about eight years ago, and it still left an impression on me even still today. The struggle with homelessness is not a fun one, for I know first hand. Mare Winningham gives and excellent and very, very sad performance in this film. It just seems that all the odds are against her, and she's left to make some very rash decisions. You just want so much to help people like this out in the time of need, but have to stand by as helpless as they are. This movie should be recommended as a standard for all to watch, as we are all one paycheck away from the shelter, or even the doorways in our streets. This should not be happening in the greatest country the world has ever known.

capkronos

Well done, non-preachy.

I usually hate made-for-TV movies, but this one is excellent (yeah, and extremely depressing, but it's eye-opening). Mare Winningham is first-rate as a single mother caught in a cycle of homelessness and poverty with her young daughter after they're abandoned by the father and thrown out of their apartment. The scripter offers no easy way outs or fairy tale endings for these two and the film is surprisingly tough and real. It also does an admirable job illustrating how finding employment, a home and a sense of dignity are next to impossible if you're stuck out on the streets starting from scratch. It's really one of those movies with a most important, life-affirming message--don't for a second take what you have or the people in your life for granted. Harrowing stuff.

For the video inquiry--It was released on video (from WorldVision), but yeah, it's a b*tch to find. (I got my copy used at a video store).

Score: 9 out of 10.

8Sylviastel

An Unforgettable Drama as Tragic and Common as Life today!

Mare Winningham plays the role of a single mother who must struggle without a job and a home with a young child. The film is memorable because she must make the most difficult choice that any parent can make of whether her only child should remain with her on the streets, in rat-infested apartments, in shelters, after friends and family can't help them out anymore. This issue is not new but as old as time itself where parents must struggle to make the most difficult decision of turning her child over to foster care and the state or live on the streets. The final scene is just heartbreaking so have your tissues ready to wipe the tears away.

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Goofs
When Theresa first looks at her low-income apartment, lots of holes and other damage are visible in the walls; the damage changes and even disappears in later scenes.

Quotes
Theresa Johnson: [to Hillary] Honey, it's almost lunchtime. I'm gonna go get us some sandwiches. Do you think you can stay here and play by yourself for a little while?
Hillary Johnson: Yeah, I wanna go on the swings.
[as she runs towards them]
Theresa Johnson: Good.
[pause]
Theresa Johnson: No, wait!
[she beckons Hillary back over]
Theresa Johnson: Don't forget Mary Beth!
[hands Hillary her doll]
Hillary Johnson: [happily] Okay.
[she runs back to the swings, Theresa walks off to a large tree in the park and hides behind it, watching Hillary swing as Reed's van pulls up. He exits the vehicle with a social worker]
Calvin Reed: Hillary!
Hillary Johnson: [happy to see him] Hi!
Calvin Reed: Hi! Could you come over here, please?
Hillary Johnson: [getting off the swing and walks to him] Mom's gone. She went to get sandwiches.
Calvin Reed: I know. She asked me to come get you, take you over to my house.
Hillary Johnson: Why? Is she gonna be there?
Calvin Reed: [patiently] Now Hillary, you and I are going to have to talk about some things.
Hillary Johnson: [pointing to the social worker] Who's that?
Calvin Reed: Her name is Mrs. McCurdy, and she's a very nice lady. She's going to come with me.
Hillary Johnson: [protesting as Calvin leads her to his van] But I'm not supposed to go with anybody but my mommy.
Calvin Reed: [as Theresa watches from behind the tree, crying] I know, sweetheart. But this time is different.
Hillary Johnson: [frightened] My mommy told me to stay here.
Calvin Reed: [soothingly] It's OK, we're just gonna go over to my house.
Hillary Johnson: [crying] Why can't we wait for her?