A Time to Remember (2003) (TV)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

John Putch

Writer (WGA):

William Sims Myers (written by)

Release Date:

23 November 2003 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family

Plot:

An artist and single mother returns to her childhood home to patch things up with her mother who has Alzheimers disease. |

Cast

Doris Roberts	...	Maggie Calhoun
Dana Delany	...	Britt Calhoun
Megan Gallagher	...	Valetta Proctor
Louise Fletcher	...	Billy
Rosemary Forsyth	...	Dorothy Walderson
Robert Bauer	...	Nicholas
Erich Anderson	...	Julian Proctor
Amy Steel	...	Claire Goodman Isenberg
Davenia McFadden	...	Marion
Michael Dean Jacobs	...	Cousin Merle
Karly Rothenberg	...	Cousin Connie
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rodney Lee Conover	...	Butcher
Jacleen Haber	...	Salesperson
Griffin Kehoe	...	Henry
Riley Kehoe	...	Henry
Alex Picot
Grant Vaught	...	Little Julian Proctor

Also Known As:

Turning Homeward (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

Brazil:88 min | USA:120 min (including commercials)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Altadena, California, USA

Company:

Alpine Medien Productions

A Thoughtful Thanksgiving Film

This Hallmark made-for-television film focuses on a family reunion at Thanksgiving. The centerpiece of the drama is the character of Maggie (Doris Roberts), who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Maggie's two daughters, Veletta (Megan Gallagher) and Brit (Dana Delaney) have taken different paths in their personal lives and careers. The Thanksgiving event reunites the two daughters who must come to terms with their mother's illness and the choices they have made.

All of the performances are sensitive and credible. Doris Roberts's character is so intelligent that her realization of the Alzheimer's is made all the more tragic. The two daughters were also convincingly portrayed by the performers; the characters move towards a stronger bond as they renew their family ties and reflect on their past.

The film is striking in the simplicity of the plot structure of preparing the Thanksgiving dinner. The final hour is a taut dramatic experience and compelling because of the frank discussion among the family members.

The film's title is especially appropriate, as the movie depicts that special time of the year when we give thanks and reflect on our personal family experiences at the time of our own Thanksgivings past and present. It is a touching, thoughtful film because it transcends the clinical topic of Alzheimer's to offer a portrait of such universal values as family, memory, and love.