One of my all time favorites.

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

The acting is good, and the firecracker script has some excellent ideas.

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.

I watched this film back in the late eighties when someone had recorded it on tape (remember tape?). It was a revelation to me. As I watched, I got more and more uncomfortable, because I realised that I was a victim of abuse myself. It might sound strange that I hadn't realised that what went on in my home was not normal, I assumed it was just how life was. This was before the internet, there was much less access to information, and kids were not warned about abuse in school. This is a powerful film, although a bit depressing that the issue is handled by family counselling, this does allow the viewer some sort of insight into the mindset of those involved, which might have been harder to achieve if the abuser had simply been ejected from home or sent to jail.I think this was a very brave film to make in the time it was made, and I'm grateful that it was made, because it opened my eyes to the situation I was in, and was the first step in seeking help.

I saw this movie as a young teenager myself in the mid-80s. At that time, sexual abuse by a parent, especially the child's real father (as opposed to a stepfather, or mother's new partner) was still often swept aside--not discussed, not acknowledged, hidden in the surface trappings of so-called respectability. This movie set new standards in TV movies, and must have brought about so much dialog on the topic of incest. I hope it helped many incest survivors, and their families, to face the past and move on to a better future.25 years later, I happened to remember the movie and found that a very wise person had taped parts of it and added them to the Internet. (Which begs the question, why is the whole movie not available for general viewing? Such an important, well-made movie...) I watched the excerpts and found myself crying with Amelia once again, just as I did 25 years ago. Now I have two girls of my own, the exact same ages as Amelia and her sister Beth in the movie. How much more painful to watch it as a parent! Roxana Zal as the confused and abused Amelia is amazing. Glenn Close is also excellent. And Ted Danson--you won't recognize him as the cheerful Sam from Cheers now.In a nutshell, this movie stands the test of time. Treatment for and attitudes to survivors and their families might have changed over time, but the raw emotions don't change.

An excellent film that handles a difficult topic well. The casting and sets create an atmosphere to let the story unfold in a seemingly average American home, which adds both to the realism and power of this movie. Ted Danson plays the deceptively normal father to the hilt, and the rest of the cast handle their roles with a high degree of believability. This is a powerful film that handles a difficult subject with intelligence and emotion without sensationalizing. Highly recommended.

The film is very well handled for such a sensitive subject. I saw it for the first time just last night, and was surprised to see Danson in the role. This film could serve to help stem the problems faced by our younger generation. I would recommend it as a should see.