Caroline?

Caroline? a made-for-TV movie based on the E.L. Konigsburg novel (teleplay by Michael DeGuzman) is a superior movie of the highest order. Being part mystery, part topical storytelling, it takes the viewer into the lives of a well to do family with a few skeletons. Seemingly Caroline Carmichael dies in a plane accident 15 years ago, or did she? Her father believes the girl claiming to be her, or does he? Now you won't guess why she's come back, or will you? Deftly played by Stephanie Zimbalist, Caroline is much richer in spirit than the old Caroline seemed to be. Caroline returns just before the deadline to claim her Grandmother Adkins inheritance. This is a matter of consternation for her father's younger wife. Caroline returns to find she has a half brother and sister and a suspicious stepmother. George Grizzard, Pamela Reed, the late Shawn Phelan and Jenny Jacobs play her present family. As Caroline becomes involved in the lives of the Carmichaels she learns family secrets galore. Rounding out the wonderful cast are the great Patricia Neal, the phenomenal Dorothy McGuire and Mary Nell Santacroce. To tell more would be scandalous. This was originally shown on CBS television in 1990 as a Hallmark Hall of Fame Presentation. By the way, this won an Emmy for Best Television Movie or Special. When you need an inspirational movie to get you through the day, put this in your VCR, you won't be disappointed. Still not on DVD, but is on Prime Video.

The best made for television film ever. A story that will stay with you forever. A pitch perfect cast brings this great story to life. Stephanie Zimbalist is a revelation. What a shame that she left the world of film for theater.Shawn Phelan is great as her young "brother". Had he not died so young he would have had a great career in films. The movie also benefits from the presence of the great character actor George Grizzard. While the cast is wonderful it is the story so original, so engrossing, so haunting. If you get the chance to see this film don't miss it. While it is made for T.V. it is better than most theatrical releases.

I remember seeing this with my aunt when I was about 8 as a Hallmark movie on CBS. I remembered liking it and never forgot about it. I just saw it again recently on the Hallmark channel, and I don't think the themes are too adult for a child. I basically understood what was going on the first time I saw it. I'm usually not big on what I think of as Lifetime movies, but Caroline? is well made and the performances were believable. I didn't even know it was based on a book, so I can't comment on how accurate it is compared to that. Looking at it as just a movie, without the comparison to a book, it's great. I'd recommend watching it to anyone with a free weekend afternoon.

At first, the only question that seems to be asked in the plot is : "Is she or not Caroline?" Of course the answer you will only have near the end. But central to the movie are also other more universal questions like : "What do you do with a handicapped child?" and then again, more importantly : "What do you do with the (rich) parents of a handicapped child?" This flick kept my interest from the beginning to the end. The psychology of the characters, especially the mother and the young boy, whose lives are organized exclusively around the little girl's handicapped condition, are complex and most interesting.

Truly remarkable on so many levels, and worth repeated viewings because it's easy to miss some things the first time around. For example, notice who is in the background when Caroline's father laments "I don't even know my own daughter," or the book the adult Winston picks up when speaking to Hilary. The acting is exceptional all around, but especially by Shawn Phelan as young Winston and Jenny Jacobs as Heidi- yes, Jenny Jacobs really does have a disability in real life, and I wouldn't be surprised if the woman who played Hilary also does, as well. Stephanie Zimbalist is luminous as Caroline, and the scenes between her and Patricia Neal (as the headmistress who doesn't believe she's really Caroline) virtually crackle with tension. The ending always puts a lump in my throat, but this is a rare movie that actually earns it's tears. It originally aired on CBS against the Jim Bakker story, which all the critics thought would destroy Caroline in the ratings, but it was the other way around! I've read the book as well and while I liked it, the movie in my opinion is better, because the actors bring the characters to life in a way that the written word can't.