What Love Sees (1996) (TV)

Director:

Michael Switzer

Writers (WGA):

Susan Vreeland (book)
Robert L. Freedman (teleplay)

Release Date:

22 September 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Based on a true story, spanning fifteen years during the turmoil of the Second World War, this is an...

Plot Keywords:

Based On Book

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Richard Thomas	...	Gordon Holly
Annabeth Gish	...	Jean Treadway Holly
August Schellenberg	...	Earl
Kathleen Noone	...	Sarah Treadway
Romy Rosemont	...	Lucy Treadway
Trever O'Brien	...	Gordy Holly
Courtland Mead	...	Hap Holly
Ashlee Lauren	...	Faith Holly
Cody McMains	...	Billy Holly
Edward Herrmann	...	Morton Treadway
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Bethany Allard	...	First child as infant
Samantha Allard	...	First child as infant
Sydney Allard	...	First child as infant
Jana Arnold	...	Farm Wife
Todd Babcock	...	Howard
Joe Bays	...	Karl
Fran Bennett	...	Bessie Hays
Sue Casey	...	Matron #2
Hugh Gillin	...	Dr. Meyers
Tim Halligan	...	Eye Doctor
Jean Kaufman	...	Hap's Teacher
Carolyn Kimball	...	Matron #1
Sandra Ellis Lafferty	...	Delia
Greg Longstreet	...	Michael, Jean's Date
Doug McGrath	...	Walter
Jeanette O'Connor	...	Mrs. Soper
Denyn Pysz	...	Teenager in Truck
David Schall	...	Minister
Ann Walker	...	Aunt Violet
Vicki Walker	...	Betty Jo

Runtime:

USA:120 min (including commercials) | Austria:85 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

San Diego, California, USA

Company:

Rosemont Productions

Inconsistent execution lets down a great story

This is a guaranteed heart-warmer about the romance and marriage of two blind people in the early 20th century. The screenplay is an excellent vehicle for the story, but the character direction comes up short. The supporting characters are generally formula reactions to the circumstances, bringing nothing extra that makes us feel they are real people instead of merely actors in the lives of the young couple. Also, the reactions of the main couple themselves are often tempered for some reason I could not fathom.

Some scenes showed that the supporting cast are quite capable of the pathos and execution the script deserved; for some reason, the director chose not to insist upon excellence in every scene. Because of this, the occasional critical scene or line would fall short of its full potential, and the overall product suffered therefrom.

That stated, do take the time to see this once or twice. It's a worthy way to spend a couple of hours with the family.