Let's be realistic.

Brilliant and touching

It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

Bobby Miller, a wounded and abused young man, has had his share of unhappiness as he has been pushed around too much. His parents, who have emotional problems have not cared for him. When in desperation, he shows up at the home of his aunt Vicki, a writer, he is at the end of his rope. Not only are his wounds psychological, but he suffers from sleeping disorder as well. It takes his aunt a lot of courage to come to understand what this lost soul is lacking.Vicki not only takes care of his pressing problems, but she is instrumental in his rehabilitation. In order to give him confidence, she rents him an apartment in the garage of her landlord. Bobby, who is easily influenced at this point of his life, mixes with some punks that only use him to crash in his living space. When someone trashes the place, Vicki has no choice but to get him back with her.Bobby's redemption comes in a way of computer science. He is clearly ahead of his peers. This is told to Vicki by his instructor, who encourages him to go ahead and make something out of himself. Finally, Bobby, with the love and guidance from his caring aunt, goes into college and a new life. Vicki got out of this teen ager much more than his whole family, who failed him completely. She turned him into a person with a future ahead of him because Vicki recognizes the goodness inside his heart.This film was directed by Peter Levin. The main attraction for seeing the made for television movie was Marcia Gay Harden, an actress with a fine intuition for bringing life to the characters she plays. This is the case with her Vicki, an intelligent approach to who this woman was. Taylor Handley appears as Bobby, the teen ager that has been dealt a bad hand by his own people. Also in the cast the marvelous Marian Seldes, Kate Nelligan and Regina Taylor."In From the Night" is a truly inspirational film about a subject not too many people talk about, but that affects a lot of families.

This movie was very well thought out and had so much to say. If only those who make a living by interacting with teens (in some way,) would be able to really see into it; there could be some wonderful changes in so many lives. Bobby had support, love and a strong role model, and he was allowed to have control over what happened to him, rather than being controlled. It made the whole difference.This was way more than a movie, it was an education. We need more Bobby stories. So often we see the line "if each abused/learning disabled etc. student had just one person who cared/believed in them, LISTENED to them......." The importance is so obvious here. Sadly, in reality, many Bobbys probably watched this film from an institution of some type and had bittersweet reactions to it. I'd love to know more about the inspiration for the film and I hope this is one of many that refer to teens and the problems created by family, disabling school settings and society. The Tristen character was best left as it was, because that's where all the other abused/neglected/learning disabled teens, who aren't as fortunate as Bobby, ARE. My opinion, he wanted a friend and he wanted to be part of what Bobby had. He could be alone with nothing ahead for him, or he could continue to go with the group, rather than be all alone. It was obvious he wished for choices too. Would anyone ever know his story?Susanna Styron and Bridget Terry, THANK YOU

Dear Hallmark, I really did love this movie,partly because my own son suffers from 'bipolar' illness. It reminded me that EVERY teen stands the chance of recovery if only someone will care enough to give of themselves. THANK YOU SOOO MUCH for showing such love and compassion for a difficult issue and problem. We need more like you and your movie team. I do hope that you will continue to make movies like this that will speak to our personal experience and needs. The actors did a wonderful job! Good casting! I LOVED HALLMARK'S commercials, too. Oh, they touched my heart, and made me cry. Your cards can be powerful! Sincerely, Barbara

This movie is an excellent story about a writer whose nephew comes to her after moving around from family member to family member. Taylor Handley plays Bobby, who has been abused by his mother, and his father (Mackenzie Astin) did nothing to stop her. Always knowing that his Aunt Victoria (Marcia Gay Harden) had always treated him well, he called her to see if he could stay with her. She took him in, having no parenting experiences of her own, and helped him to treat his newly discovered severe sleep apnea, as well as get emancipated. Bobby then proceeds to find an apartment in her neighbors garage. She signs the lease so that she is renting it out because he doesn't have a job. Soon, however, his friends start freeloading and when things get out of hand, he moves back in with her. The two of them go through therapy (one of the agreements on him getting the apartment) and find out that when he was living with his parents he developed a way of defending himself in which he numbed himself and shut out everything around him. He used this so much, however, he lost control of it, and this numbness came to him whenever he was angry, anxious, or scared.I absolutely love Handley in the role of Bobby. His acting is phenomenal, as is Harden's. The two make a stunning pair and their chemistry is amazing. i recommend this film to anyone who is looking for a good emotional, witty, and enlightening film.