Doing Time on Maple Drive

One of the most incredibly honest family dramas I've ever seen. Exceptional writing and acting. Jim Carrey's (pre-fame) dramatic acting is his best to-date, in my opinion. This little film is underrated and should be aired more frequently, and at least released on video/dvd.

The Carters live on Maple Drive in unnamed New England town and they look like they're getting ready for a red letter day. Their youngest William McNamara is about to tie the knot with Lori Loughlin. But all of their kids feel just like they're Doing Time On Maple Drive.

The parents are James Sikking and Bibi Besch and its another case of what seems like an ideal family isn't all that ideal. Sikking is a restaurant owner of what looks like a posh establishment, he's always seeming so uptight. As for Besch, she drinks on the sly, but always is concerned with appearances whatever the situation.

Oldest is son Jim Carrey who does absolutely no funny shtick here, but gives a fine performance as a kid who is not drinking discreetly. We never really find out any specifics in his case, but given his parents we can fill in the blanks.

McNamara finally comes out as gay and just can't marry Loughlin. Besch is upset because this all so embarrassing to her. After that daughter Jaynie Brook lets loose with some secrets of her own that shock her husband David Byron who is just observing his in-laws with a cool appraising, but not approving eye.

Doing Time On Maple Drive got a few Emmy nominations including a truly deserved one for Bibi Besch. And in William McNamra you see a fine portrayal of gay kid ready to ruin his own life to satisfy what society thinks he ought to be.

A must for gay audiences.

Firstly I should say that this film shows how well Jim Carrey can act when he's not in "manic" mode. He has only recently come close in "The Truman Show".

I went literally around the world before I found this film on video, having searched for five years. I am so glad that I succeeded.

For once in a movie I actually felt sorry for the people that I was meant to feel sorry for, quite a directorial achievement. Carrey's "best man" speech led everyone down the wrong track, expecting a self pitying outcome, only to be twisted into a noble speech right at the end.

This is one film that is well worth the effort of tracking it down.

Wow. A made for TV movie that could have been a feature - what a switch! Usually you pay ten bucks for something that would have played better on TV.

"Doin' Time on Maple Drive" is a powerful film, more or less based on the syndrome of the controlling, affluent parents/children afraid of their disapproval, trying to please them and not measuring up. So it will hit home with lots of people. In fact, probably with most people.

The film is of special interest because of a supporting dramatic role by none other than Jim Carrey. He and the whole cast are excellent and ring true.

A therapist once told me, "There are no secrets in families." This movie points that up magnificently.

Doin' Time on Maple Drive is irresistible - when it's on TV, even if you've seen it, you won't be able to resist watching it again.

Who knew or remembered that Jim Carrey could be dramatic? He offers a genuine deep performance as a troubled youth, bright, but a high school drop-out who is unbearably harassed by his holier than thou parents, especially a father who is a perfectionist in every sense of the word.

Ironically, the Carrey character soon takes a back seat to a brother, a closet homosexual, who breaks off with his fiancé, and a married sister, ready to abort her pregnancy because the father always believes in being financially prepared before starting a family.

James Sikking and Bibi Besch are first rate as the parents out of the 1940s and 1950s who are living the 1990s as if that period never existed.

This is a very well done film worth watching.