The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

I remember watching this back in December of 1986 and I couldn't believe how great this mini series was. Richard Kiley was at his absolute best as the patriarch of a typical American family and we got to see Sarah Jessica Parker in one of her early roles. The ensemble acting was first rate. I recorded it on VHS,but lost the tapes about ten years later. I did happen to come across Sell.com, where they seem to have everything ever shown on television, of course bootlegged,but lets face it, not everything you want is commercially released. I got the mini series and the episodes that comprised the shows one year run from 1987 to 1988.To this day, "A Year in the Life" remains one of the greatest shows ever produced. It's too bad it was only on for a year.

The original "A Year in the Life," mini-series aired on NBC during the evenings of December 15, 16, and 17, 1986. This is one of the most heart warming and well produced movies that has ever been broadcast. Very few movies impact me the way that this one did. I simply can't understand why it was never released on either VHS or DVD. The musical score, composed by Elizabeth Swados is every bit as moving as the storyline. The writers of this mini-series did an exceptional job and the acting was superb. I was very sad to learn that David Oliver, who plays the role of Sam Gardner, died of AIDS in 1992. Richard Kiley, who died in 1999 does an outstanding job as the father and the overall emotional up and downs portrayed by the rest of the cast reminds me of very real life situations. I originally recorded the movie on VHS, EP mode, so the quality is marginal at best. If anyone learns that this exceptional mini-series becomes available on DVD or if the musical score becomes available on CD, please contact me at mr0370307@aol.com. If you are reading this but have never seen the original mini-series, try to get your hands on a rare copy that was recorded on VHS and may be available on eBay or from some other source. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

I agree that this was a simply wonderful, heartwarming and intelligently written show. Richard Kiley was at his best. How it lasted only one season just shows that networks care more about shows appealing to a mass audience -- just witness the endless reality TV shows on now.If anyone has tapes of this show I would TOO love to see it again. I had taped a few episodes when it aired but my NO CLUTTER sister tossed them when she "helped" me move -- it was like a free-for-all with stuff leaving I didn't even know what was going out the door.Another quality show that came and went quickly and starred "Early Edition's" dreamboat Kyle Chandler was "Homefront."

I saw the whole series during Christmas in 1988. I taped it and watched it over and over... I simply loved it! It's funny and sad at the same time. What that family goes through in one year is something that could happen to a lot of people. The actors, especially Adam Arkin and Sarah Jessica Parker is doing a good job. I remember I felt sad for the father in the house...If someone ever reads this please send me an E-MAIL. My friend borrowed the tapes a year after, and destroyed it by accident... I was, and still are, very sad.I would very much like to watch this movie again! If you know where to get/buy it please let me know!Have a nice summer :o)