Not in Front of the Children
Divorced for two years, Nancy Caruthers, asks her new lover, Paul Adams, a medical student, to move in. She has custody of her two daughters, but this new living arrangement prompts her ex-husband, Richard to sue for custody, based on moral grounds. He does not really want the girls to live with him, but his strict religious background will not allow him to stand by and let them be raised in an atmosphere of 'sin.'
Insights
Plot Summary
A successful and seemingly content husband and father begins to question his life choices and his relationships after his wife becomes pregnant with their third child. He grapples with the fear of becoming trapped in domesticity and the societal expectations placed upon him as a family man.
Critical Reception
While not widely reviewed by major outlets due to its initial television release, 'Not in Front of the Children' was generally seen as a thoughtful and sensitive exploration of mid-life anxieties and the pressures of traditional family roles. It was praised for its mature handling of a potentially fraught subject matter.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its honest portrayal of male anxieties about fatherhood and commitment.
- Appreciated for its sensitive and non-judgmental look at a man's internal conflict.
- Some found the resolution a bit too neat, but acknowledged the film's emotional impact.
Google audience: Audience reception is difficult to gauge due to its limited release, but discussions indicate appreciation for its relatable portrayal of marital and paternal anxieties. Viewers often connect with the protagonist's internal struggle and the film's exploration of changing life stages.
Fun Fact
The film was originally produced as an ABC Movie of the Week, which was a common format for exploring contemporary social issues on television during that era.
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