Moment of Truth: A Mothers Deception

Posted by Jenniffer Sheldon on Tuesday, February 27, 2024

In-and-out cult telefilm involves Joan Van Ark as a wife-mother, Daniel Hugh Kelly as a fake stress reliever and Stephen Macht as Van Ark's concerned husband. As an attention holder, "A Mother's Deception" makes the grade; as a drama, telepic's a flimflam.

In-and-out cult telefilm involves Joan Van Ark as a wife-mother, Daniel Hugh Kelly as a fake stress reliever and Stephen Macht as Van Ark’s concerned husband. As an attention holder, “A Mother’s Deception” makes the grade; as a drama, telepic’s a flimflam.

Seems Nora’s (Van Ark) under pressure at home and suffers a nasty emotional jolt at the office, along with back and head pains. The incompetent family M.D., telling her she’s physically fine, suggests she see Dr. Allen (Kelly). The medico tells her, yes, he “is a psychiatrist, but (he’s) not just an analyst.” Whatever that means.

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Charismatic Allen, who’s not even an M.D., much less a psychiatrist, soothes her with his understanding words, generous grin and sympathetic manner. He also runs the Sunshine Institute, where clients submit to hypnosis, candlelit tubs and Lord knows what else. Nora’s pains dwindle as she becomes fixed on Allen as her spiritual guide and fantasy figure.

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Husband Harry (Macht) doesn’t like it a bit, and spoiled daughter Kim (Brooke Langton) looks puzzled. Kim and Harry bring in cult-kicker Ben Jacoby (Tom Kurlander), who takes over. Ordeal of getting Nora out of the program becomes the vidpic’s climax, but it’s dismally predictable.

Any dramatic resolutions are ignored: What were the complex roots of Nora’s problems? What happens when her aches and pains come back? Does the family launch a complaint against the doctor who set Nora up by sending her to an unqualified practitioner?

As entertainment, Dan Levine’s teleplay ranks reasonably high, though its info about medical categories is sloppy. Kurlander makes Jacoby a credible devil chaser, and Van Ark gives a commendable account of a woman in need of help. Kelly’s smooth, insinuating Dr. Allen seems believable, and some femme watchers might just fancy his slick ways. Macht does a good job as the confused husband.

The telepic moves along nicely under Chuck Bowman’s direction, and designer Michael Joy, who creates a solid look of middle-class life, ably extends his talents to the pseudo-spiritualist surroundings. David Geddes’ lensing is a plus , Barbara Pokras’ editing bolsters the pace. Laura Karpman supplies a helpful score.

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Moment of Truth: A Mother’s Deception

(Mon. (17), 9-11 p.m., NBC)

  • Production: Filmed on location in British Columbia by O'Hara-Horowitz Prods. Exec producers, Lawrence Horowitz, Michael O'Hara; producer, Michelle MaClaren; co-producer, Kathryn McArdle; director, Chuck Bowman; writer, Dan Levine.
  • Crew: Camera , David Geddes; editor, Barbara Pokras; sound, Frank Griffiths; music, Laura Karpman; production designer, Michael Joy.
  • Cast: Cast: Joan Van Ark, Stephen Macht, Tom Kurlander, Brooke Langton, Daniel Hugh Kelly, Michele Goodger, Lossen Chambers, Kevin McNulty, Matt Walker, James Bell.

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