JAMES B. SIKKING is the father who loves his youngest son (WILLIAM McNAMARA) but despises his oldest (JIM CARREY) because he has drinking problems; mother (BIBI BESCH) is the perfect mother who doesn't want to know about other people's imperfections; and the preppie son from Yale comes home with a girl he says will become his bride, until she finds out that he's hiding his past as a gay man with a three-year relationship to overcome.
That's the material at the heart of this well acted, intelligently written and played TV drama that might be called the poor man's "Ordinary People".
Carrey was not particularly well known at this point in his career and gives a sensitive performance as the conflicted older brother who rather resents his father's fondness for the youngest son. McNamara has the pivotal central role, unable to face the reality of his situation as a gay man in a family of conventional attitudes, who has to confront his parents with the truth once the wedding plans have to be canceled. He's a handsome and appealing young actor.
Way above average treatment of serious themes, extremely moving performances from the entire cast with very convincing showdown moments when the conflicts come out in the open. Ken Olin's direction is tight and forceful and makes us feel sympathy for MacNamara's plight.
Trivia note: Nominated for three Emmys, including Besch for Best Supporting Actress.
That's the material at the heart of this well acted, intelligently written and played TV drama that might be called the poor man's "Ordinary People".
Carrey was not particularly well known at this point in his career and gives a sensitive performance as the conflicted older brother who rather resents his father's fondness for the youngest son. McNamara has the pivotal central role, unable to face the reality of his situation as a gay man in a family of conventional attitudes, who has to confront his parents with the truth once the wedding plans have to be canceled. He's a handsome and appealing young actor.
Way above average treatment of serious themes, extremely moving performances from the entire cast with very convincing showdown moments when the conflicts come out in the open. Ken Olin's direction is tight and forceful and makes us feel sympathy for MacNamara's plight.
Trivia note: Nominated for three Emmys, including Besch for Best Supporting Actress.