Movie spotlight
An LA photographer, driving through backwoods country, spots a young boy walking on the side of the road and offers him a ride home. After reaching the isolated house, he discovers that the boy and his siblings are keeping a woman prisoner as their "mom" and now he is expected to be their "dad"...or else.
Set during the Vietnam War, this made-for-television film follows a U.S. Army captain who returns home to discover his wife has left him and his two children have been sent to a conservative boarding school. He then embarks on a mission to reunite his family, facing numerous obstacles and moral dilemmas along the way. The story explores themes of alienation, the psychological toll of war, and the complexities of family relationships.
This television movie received a mixed to positive reception, with praise often directed at the performances of its lead actors, particularly Hal Holbrook and Patty Duke. Some critics found the narrative to be a bit conventional for its time, but acknowledged its emotional impact and its sensitive portrayal of post-war struggles. It was considered a significant dramatic effort for television in the early 1970s.
Praised for its strong acting, especially from Hal Holbrook and Patty Duke.
Noted for its sensitive exploration of a soldier's difficult return home.
Some found the plot predictable, but appreciated its emotional resonance.
Google audience: Information regarding specific Google user reviews for this 1974 television film is not readily available.
Hal Holbrook, who played the lead role of Captain Gerry, was an accomplished actor known for his one-man show about Mark Twain, which he performed for decades.
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