Doing Time On Maple Drive (1992)
Cast: Bibi Besch, William McNamara, Jim Carrey, Lori Loughlin Director: Ken Olin Screenplay: James Duff
Review by Donlee Brussel
What do you say about a film about parents who desperately want their children to be perfect, so much so that it brings one of them to almost committing suicide? A movie about skeletons that come out of the closet ever so gracefully, it's shocking? Ken Olin and James Duff have collaborated to create one of the most involving family dramas of our time.
Each character in "Doing Time On Maple Drive" is given just enough time to develop to make us care. The family is made up of the parents and their children, two sons and a daughter. This, not "The Truman Show" was Jim Carrey's first dramatic performance and definitely one of his best. He gives an extremely intriguing portrayal as Tim, the oldest son, a high school drop out and an alcoholic. Every scene Carrey's in, he steals. It came as a surprise to me when I noticed he wasn't handed an Emmy nomination for this role.
William McNamara is impressive as the gay son who has to be perfect. There's a monologue he delivers towards the end of the film that is just heartbreaking. The other characters also throw in intense performances but the spotlight is on Carrey and McNamara. See the film for their veteran work, everything else is just icing on the cake. Who knew Lifetime TV-movies could be this good?
- Copyright 1999 by Donlee Brussel
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