By BYJACKNEWORTH CHANNELSURFING
IN 1980 THE OSCAR WINNER FOR BEST Picture was “Ordinary People,” a story about a family torn apart by an accidental death. The “tagline” of the movie was “Some films you watch, others you feel.” It was certainly true for me. On my drive home I was so emotional that I had to pull onto the shoulder of the freeway to regroup. Moments later a CHP parked behind me. With a flashlight in my face, the cop asked why had I pulled over. When I told him it was because of a movie I’d just seen he asked if I had been drinking.
I’m reminded of this rather embarrassing incident after viewing “The Russell Girl,” the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie which airs on CBS, Sunday, Jan. 27. It has a similar theme as “Ordinary People,” and even an identical line, “Bad things can happen to good people.” It stars Emmy and Golden Globe nominated actress Amber Tamblyn (“Joan of Arcadia”), who was born in Santa Monica. She plays Sarah Russell, a 23-year-old aspiring medical school student in Chicago who, in the first scene, is given some grim medical news.
Without telling her family of this development, Sarah pays a surprise visit back to her small town, hoping to find comfort. But instead she confronts a terrible event from her past as a necessary step before she can heal. “Russell Girl” is no “Ordinary People” but that said, it’s well-written (Jill Blotevogel), well-directed (Jeff Bleckner), and features some fine acting.
Though it was not a commercial hit, some might recall Tamblyn’s remarkable performance in “Stephanie Daley,” another story about a young woman with a dark secret. But whereas Stephanie was in denial, Sarah is strong if in a quiet way, but both are unable to reach out for help. This is a tragic theme that appears in Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People,” and “The River Runs Through It.” If done well, the audience will wish the character could accept the help but knows it’s unlikely.
Early on we discover that years ago Sarah accidentally caused enormous pain to the family next door. The mother, Lorraine Morrisey (played brilliantly by two-time Tony winner Jennifer Ehle), has been unable to resolve her grief which only adds to Sarah’s guilt. Lorraine’s inability to let go causes her depression and migraines, and makes her unavailable to her family. She escapes into her work, restoring antiques. But when Sarah returns home it only re-opens Lorraine’s wounds. She can’t even say Sarah’s name, refer-ring to her as “The Russell Girl.” The movie almost plays like a mystery as we get clues into the dark secret that haunts these two families.
Sarah’s mother, Gayle Russell (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio), is upbeat and high functioning, but also has buried the pain from this event. She assumes Sarah’s surprise visit is to announce her acceptance to Northwestern Medical School. Gayle overrides the instincts of her husband Phil (Tim Dekay) who feels the family should have sought counseling. He is the ideal father, open and caring, and yet Sarah can’t bring herself to confide in him.
Even the lesser roles are well played, though certain characters’ history seems a bit contrived. Evan (Paul Wesley) is Sarah’s former boyfriend who’s back in town from his corporate job in Dallas to help his father who owns a body shop and is recovering from a stroke. A little too convenient, Sarah on a trip home daydreams about her past and winds up slamming her car into the guardrail. She goes to the gas station/body shop only to run into Evan who’s never gotten over her. (Nor him for her.) Jennifer’s husband Howard (Henry Czerny) is both protective of his wife’s fragile state and yet resentful that she clings to her pain at the expense of her family.
While it’s likely most viewers will overlook them, two sets of minor details were well handled. Scenes of Lorraine’s antique restoring, while acting as a metaphor for her and Sarah’s relationship, also give a unique look at that art. And the scene of Evan’s body shop repair of Sarah’s car also adds credibility. (And relief as the mangled car is finally fixed!) Ultimately “The Russell Girl” is about forgiveness. Sarah seeks it from Lorraine but in time she learns she needs to forgive herself. As is the Hallmark Hall of Fame tradition (this their 232nd production) “The Russell Girl” will tug at your emotions. If some movies you watch and others you feel, this would be the latter. You may want to have Kleenex nearby. And afterwards, from experience, may I suggest that you don’t immediately drive on the freeway.
“The Russell Girl” airs Sunday, Jan. 27, on CBS at 9 p.m.
JACK also writes the “Laughing Matters” column which appears every Friday. He
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 19, 2008. Read the original PDF.