For The Love Of A Child
By Marilyn Moss
Monday, January 9 2006
Monday, January 9 2006
Published on AllBusiness.com
9-11 p.m., Monday, Jan. 9
Lifetime
The original drama from Lifetime, "For the Love of a Child," is a slow-moving affair; yet despite being riddled as well by all-too-familiar plot devices, it delivers a thought-provoking and quite affecting two hours of television.
Based on fact, the story centers on two women who began working for neglected children decades ago and continue to help kids find safety and a sense of self-worth. The drama follows the work of 2005 Nobel Prize-nominated Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, who toured Asia in 1959 performing for U.S. troops stationed there. One night during a storm, the two young actresses found a group of abandoned children. Helping these kids led O'Meara and Fedderson to help other youngsters and ultimately they founded Childhelp USA, an organization that rescues neglected and abused kids.
The story is told partly in flashback, recounting the women's early work. Fleshing out the drama, writer Duane Poole (working from O'Meara and Fedderson's book, "Silence Broken"), weaves in the story of several of the youngsters who recently were helped by their organization. While Douglas Barr's direction is rather slow-paced, the story nevertheless is a moving one. The material is the star here, and it's rather difficult not to get involved with kids who are hurting yet who eventually find a sense of themselves (even if it's too late for a few of them).
Peri Gilpin ("Frasier") plays O'Meara and Teri Polo ("Meet the Parents") plays Fedderson. While both are fun to watch, the story really paves the way for them and there is little for either to do but show some emotion when the time comes. The script is that pat. There are plenty of silences in it, and the actresses often find themselves with little to do or say.
Still, the fact that the story is true is often enough to save it. Obviously O'Meara and Fedderson are two loving and extremely determined women. They've created miracles in parts of the world where miracles were (and continue to be) badly needed. Just knowing that fact gives "For the Love of a Child" its staying power. Jeff Rona's music gives the story a haunting quality and Myron Hyrak's photography is stark yet lyrical.
For the Love of a Child
Lifetime
Dog Run Productions Inc. in association with First Light Prods.
for LIfetime Television
Credits:
Director: Douglas Barr
Teleplay: Duane Pool
Based on the book "Silence Broken," by Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson
Editor: Jacqueline Cambas
Music: Jeff Rona
Visual consultant: Carmi Gallo
Production designer: Myron Hyrak
Director of photography: Peter Berrison
Producers: Tom Cox, Murray Ord, Jordy Randall, Larry Rapaport
Executive producers: Jill Canaparo, Andre Canaparo
Executive producer: Craig Anderson
Cast:
Sara: Peri Gilpin
Yvonne: Teri Polo
Annie: Maria Del Mar
Jacob: Matthew Knight
Laura: Emily Hirst
Lifetime
The original drama from Lifetime, "For the Love of a Child," is a slow-moving affair; yet despite being riddled as well by all-too-familiar plot devices, it delivers a thought-provoking and quite affecting two hours of television.
Based on fact, the story centers on two women who began working for neglected children decades ago and continue to help kids find safety and a sense of self-worth. The drama follows the work of 2005 Nobel Prize-nominated Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson, who toured Asia in 1959 performing for U.S. troops stationed there. One night during a storm, the two young actresses found a group of abandoned children. Helping these kids led O'Meara and Fedderson to help other youngsters and ultimately they founded Childhelp USA, an organization that rescues neglected and abused kids.
The story is told partly in flashback, recounting the women's early work. Fleshing out the drama, writer Duane Poole (working from O'Meara and Fedderson's book, "Silence Broken"), weaves in the story of several of the youngsters who recently were helped by their organization. While Douglas Barr's direction is rather slow-paced, the story nevertheless is a moving one. The material is the star here, and it's rather difficult not to get involved with kids who are hurting yet who eventually find a sense of themselves (even if it's too late for a few of them).
Peri Gilpin ("Frasier") plays O'Meara and Teri Polo ("Meet the Parents") plays Fedderson. While both are fun to watch, the story really paves the way for them and there is little for either to do but show some emotion when the time comes. The script is that pat. There are plenty of silences in it, and the actresses often find themselves with little to do or say.
Still, the fact that the story is true is often enough to save it. Obviously O'Meara and Fedderson are two loving and extremely determined women. They've created miracles in parts of the world where miracles were (and continue to be) badly needed. Just knowing that fact gives "For the Love of a Child" its staying power. Jeff Rona's music gives the story a haunting quality and Myron Hyrak's photography is stark yet lyrical.
For the Love of a Child
Lifetime
Dog Run Productions Inc. in association with First Light Prods.
for LIfetime Television
Credits:
Director: Douglas Barr
Teleplay: Duane Pool
Based on the book "Silence Broken," by Sara O'Meara and Yvonne Fedderson
Editor: Jacqueline Cambas
Music: Jeff Rona
Visual consultant: Carmi Gallo
Production designer: Myron Hyrak
Director of photography: Peter Berrison
Producers: Tom Cox, Murray Ord, Jordy Randall, Larry Rapaport
Executive producers: Jill Canaparo, Andre Canaparo
Executive producer: Craig Anderson
Cast:
Sara: Peri Gilpin
Yvonne: Teri Polo
Annie: Maria Del Mar
Jacob: Matthew Knight
Laura: Emily Hirst
