A Step Toward Tomorrow

This movie is about a single mother, who has two sons, one of them is in a wheelchair because of an accident which happened two years earlier. They all move to a new town, where they try to establish themselves, and tries to find a new doctor who maybe can help the boy, so that he can be healthy again and live without so much pain.

Judith Light is excellent as the mother, Anna Lerner, who tackles every situation with a good sense of humor, and seems to be a very good and loving mother, who just wants the best for her sons.

Tom Irwin plays Dr. David Decker, who does everything he possibly can to help the family, and....well, I won't reveal too much of the plot, but he certainly likes them all, and is very likeable himself.

Fans of Christopher Reeve and Brad Dourif (whom I am one of) will probably be a bit disappointed because they don't have much time in this movie, but they seem very believable and act great in the short time they do get on the screen.

-I couldn't avoid laughing when Dourif was introduced by the kid's as "Kirby, the gravedigger...people say he's insane and has buried 10 people alive!!"... because he almost always plays psycho-roles like that, but this one was quite different, and not at all mentally deranged (well, maybe a little bit, but in a good way).

Chistopher Reeve is Denny Gabrial, a man in a wheelchair (of course), who becomes very good friends with the little boy in the wheelchair. It is a very sympathetic role, and it is nice to see him make a comeback to the screen again, although his role is somewhat small and not really a part of the plot.

When all adds up, this is a movie who kids may like (because it shows the relationship between two brothers, and how hard it is to cope with the fact that ones brother is disabled, and so forth). Parents will probably also like it, because it shows how hard it can be to be a single parent, having a handicapped child, etc.

Even though I mostly watch action-movies, this one was good in another way, and I give this movie 7/10, because I felt good watching it, and had a good feeling after it ended, and also because I liked the cast.

Judith Light is wholly believable as a fiercely loving divorced mother trying desperately to find help for her younger son, paralyzed after a diving accident. James Welch Henderson Arkansas 4/12/21.

"A Step Toward Tomorrow" is excellent and certainly should be immediately released to DVD and video! I only recently had the chance to view this film and it is a gem among the hum-drum of most made-for-TV films. Judith Light and Christopher Reeve are the talented professionals we have come to expect and appreciate, and Kendall Cunningham and Tim Redwine--the child actors--are incredible talents that dazzle with moving emotion throughout the feature.

I have read a lot of negative reviews for this film; usually centering on the technical aspects of this film that weren't exactly correct. All films have flaws! The gift of this film is that it does an outstanding job--in the roles of Redwine and Cunningham--of showcases the delimma of anyone who is different--bound to a wheelchair, dyslexic, heart condition, etc.--the appreciation of understanding and help we receive from our family and friends, and the desire to do for ourselves and be our own person. The fact that this telefilm has the ability to capture that very difficult piece of life makes it a top picture in my book. This film should be used in the classroom!

This is a really sweet movie. The characters are well-developed and likeable. A lot of time is spent on the relationship between the brothers and why the older brother feels he needs to spend so much time caring for the younger brother. Then of course, there's a love story here too.

Does anyone know if this movie is based on a true story? I have seen it twice and it is inspirational. It is a great example that shows what a mother wouldn't do for their child. This also includes fathers who have to play dual roles as both father and mother. I thank you if you can find out the answer to my question. I have spinal conditions, endo (it won't allow me to spell out this disease), and chronic pain due from them. I run and CO-run support groups both Online and Offline for spinal conditions, endo, chronic pain, and also eating disorders. I am here for anyone who need support. Again, I thank you and I wish everyone well.