The biographical drama of the difficult recovery of the actress Patricia Neal with the help of her husband, the writer Roald Dahl after having suffered from a sudden attack.
Review:
"OUTSTANDING EXAMPLE OF THE FIGHT NEEDED TO RECOVER FROM STROKE, 25 November 2000 " - IMDB
"*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Directed by Anthony Harvey and Anthony Page this underrated film from 1981 tells the true story of American actress Patricia Neal's recovery from a devastating stroke during the 60's.
After suffering a stroke at home one night Patricia Neal is taken to hospital where she remains in a coma for several weeks.Her husband the successful British author Roald Dahl(Dirk Bogarde)never leaves her bedside and talks to her telling her things about their life together and begs her to fight hard to wake up.
She eventually does but is very disabled and cannot speak either.Roald starts his own therapy which includes making Pat sound out and say an object(jam,tea etc)that she want's rather than point to it.This he finds forces her to speak and excercise her brain at the same time keeping her active.
Although some of their friends think it's cruel,he continues and along with Pat's strength of will and his determination and love she recovers and became one hundred percent well again.
Glenda doesn't fully convince as Patricia but you believe it's her and that's a credit to her performance which is one of the best in her career.
She's equally matched by Dirk as Roald,he is the heart of the story and is heartbreaking.Especially in the scenes between him and Pat in the hospital when she's unconscious.
This is a tribute to Roalds deep love for Pat and his drive to make her well again.Many of his therapies that he used with Pat are now standard practice for stroke victims.Featuring heartbreakingly powerful performances from Dirk and Glenda,this is one not to be missed. " - from United Kingdom
Directors:Anthony Harvey
Anthony Page
Writers:Robert Anderson (teleplay)
Barry Farrell (book)
Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification
Glenda Jackson ... Patricia Neal
Dirk Bogarde ... Roald Dahl
Ken Kercheval ... Dr. Charles Canton
Jane Merrow ... Val Eaton
John Reilly ... Barry Farrell
Mildred Dunnock ... Herself
Sydney Penny ... Tessa Dahl
Robby Kiger ... Theo Dahl (as Robbie Kiger)
Priscilla Morrill ... Sarah
James Hayden ... Martin Sheen
Angela Cheyne ... Angela
Edward Bell ... Dick Shepherd
Constance Chapman ... Mrs. Bateman
Jessica Rains ... Nurse
Jean Christopher Murray ... Rod
Pamela Dunlap ... Speech Therapist
Sandy Martin ... 1st Woman
Alba Francesca ... 2nd Woman
Gabrielle Daye ... Mrs. Ingrams
Tony Rohr ... Photographer
Anna Carteret ... 1st Neighbor
Helen Fraser ... 2nd Neighbor
Edward Jewesbury ... Brigadier
Gillian Martell ... Mrs. Johnson
Robin Soans ... Doctor Hawks
Herbert Clayton Penny ... Photographer
Gloria Stroock ... Herself
John Dorrin ... Jack Albertson
Steve Eastin ... Frank Gilroy
Newell Alexander ... Reporter
James Bacon ... Reporter
Dolores Quinton ... Reporter
June Whitley Taylor ... Older Nurse
Brianne Strauss ... Ophelia
Lisa Carton ... Nurse
Maxine Harris ... Nurse
William J. Ford ... Assistant Director
Nancy Atwood ... Nurse
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rock Hudson ... Himself (uncredited)
Patricia Neal ... Herself (uncredited)
Tim Petritz ... Assistant Director (uncredited)
Runtime:100 min
Country:USA
Language:English
Color:Color
Aspect Ratio:1.33
Sound Mix:Mono
Certification:USA:Not Rated
Nominated for 2 Golden Globes.
|
