In The Best Interest of the Child True Story? Ending Explained
by Hemalatha R | Updated Apr 25, 2023
In The Best Interest of the Child True Story
In The Best Interest of the Child is a 1990 American made-for-television drama film that sheds light on the issue of child sexual abuse. The film stars Meg Tilly, Ed Begley Jr., Michael O'Keefe, and Michele Greene, and is directed by David Greene. It was originally broadcast on CBS on May 20, 1990.
The film tells the story of a young girl named Jody (played by Sarah Paulson), who lives with her mother Laura (Meg Tilly), and her stepfather Michael (Ed Begley Jr.). Jody is a happy child, but her life is turned upside down when Michael starts to sexually abuse her. Laura is initially unaware of the abuse, but as she begins to suspect something is wrong, she tries to protect her daughter.
The film portrays the devastating impact of child sexual abuse on the victim and their family. Jody is traumatized by the abuse and struggles to cope with the psychological scars it leaves behind. Her mother Laura is torn between her love for her daughter and her loyalty to her husband. As the abuse continues, Laura must make a difficult decision: to protect her daughter or to protect her marriage.
The film raises important questions about the role of society in protecting children from sexual abuse. It highlights the need for better education and awareness about the issue, as well as the importance of reporting abuse to the authorities. The film also shows the difficult legal process victims of abuse have to go through, including the challenge of proving the abuse took place.
In The Best Interest of the Child is a powerful and emotional film that brings to light the issue of child sexual abuse. The film was well-received by critics and audiences alike, and it has been praised for its realistic portrayal of the trauma of abuse. It is a reminder of the importance of protecting children and taking action to prevent abuse from happening in the first place.
In The Best Interest of the Child Ending Explained
Jennifer's world turns upside down when she discovers that her husband Walt is sexually abusing their daughter Mandy. Jennifer, a protective and loving mother, does everything she can to keep her daughter safe. However, she soon realizes that the law is not on her side when the court, lacking incontrovertible evidence, refuses to restrict Walt's unsupervised visitation rights.
Jennifer's frustration reaches a breaking point when the judge orders her to allow Walt to see Mandy. When Jennifer refuses, she is found in contempt of court and is sent to a county jail until she relents. Jennifer realizes that the system is failing her and that she must take matters into her own hands to protect her daughter from further abuse.
Despite the risks, Jennifer decides that the only way to keep Mandy safe is to "kidnap" her. She is willing to go to prison so that Mandy can live in hiding with her relatives, far away from her abusive father. Jennifer's desperate action illustrates the limitations of the legal system when it comes to protecting children from abuse.
The film sheds light on the devastating impact of child sexual abuse on families and highlights the challenges faced by parents who try to protect their children from abusers. It shows how frustrating and isolating it can be for parents who find themselves fighting the system to keep their children safe.
The film also raises important questions about the role of society in preventing child sexual abuse. It emphasizes the need for better education and awareness about the issue, as well as the importance of reporting abuse to the authorities. Additionally, the film highlights the need for legal reform to protect children from abuse and to hold abusers accountable for their actions.
The film serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of child sexual abuse and the challenges faced by parents who try to protect their children from abusers. It is a compelling story that highlights the importance of taking action to prevent abuse and the need for legal reform to protect children from abuse. The film inspires us to be more vigilant and proactive in protecting our children from harm and to work towards creating a safer and more just society for all.
In The Best Interest of the Child Summary
In the 1990 American drama film In The Best Interest of the Child, Jennifer Colton is a divorced mother who retains custody of her young daughter Mandy while her ex-husband Walt is granted regular visitation rights. However, Jennifer becomes increasingly concerned when she notices her daughter's restless sleeping and violent behaviors. Her worst fears are confirmed when she discovers that Walt might be sexually abusing Mandy.
Jennifer seeks to protect her daughter from further abuse by seeking legal action with the help of her attorney, cousin Howard Feldon, her best friend and neighbor Nora, as well as various doctors and therapists. Despite her efforts, Jennifer realizes that the legal system is not on her side when the court refuses to restrict Walt's unsupervised visitation rights due to lack of concrete evidence.
Jennifer's desperation to protect her daughter reaches a critical point when the court orders her to allow Walt to see Mandy. She refuses and is subsequently found in contempt of court, leading to her imprisonment until she agrees to let Walt see Mandy. However, Jennifer is unwilling to risk her daughter's safety and decides to "kidnap" Mandy to keep her safe from her abusive father.
The film highlights the devastating impact of child sexual abuse on families and the struggles faced by parents who try to protect their children from abusers. It emphasizes the need for society to be more aware and proactive in preventing child sexual abuse. It also raises important questions about the role of the legal system in protecting children from abuse and the need for legal reform to hold abusers accountable for their actions.
The film serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of taking action to prevent abuse and the need for a more just and protective legal system. It inspires viewers to be more vigilant in protecting their children and to work towards creating a safer and more just society for all.
In The Best Interest of the Child Review
The film in question was engaging and managed to keep the viewer's attention throughout, but unfortunately, the ending proved to be underwhelming. The main source of disappointment was the lack of resolution to the story. When a film deals with a theme of injustice and the fight for justice, it is essential that the viewer knows that the story is leading somewhere and that the main character's struggles have a purpose.
However, this particular movie failed to provide a satisfactory ending, which left the viewer feeling cheated.
The film depicts the story of a woman who battles the legal system to protect her daughter from alleged sexual abuse by the child's father. It highlights the challenges faced by parents who are fighting to protect their children from harm and the legal hurdles they often encounter. While the story's premise is intriguing, the abrupt ending leaves the viewer wondering what happens next.
A good ending is essential for any film, as it provides closure and helps the viewer understand the purpose of the story. The lack of closure in this movie leaves the viewer with a sense of disappointment and confusion. One can argue that it's intentional, as it encourages the viewer to think about the implications of the film's theme and decide for themselves what the outcome might be. However, this approach fails to satisfy the viewer who wants a clear resolution to the story.
In The Best Interest of the Child True Story - FAQs
The main issue was the lack of resolution to the story, which left the viewer feeling cheated.
The movie depicts the story of a woman fighting the legal system to protect her daughter from alleged sexual abuse by the child's father.
A good ending provides closure and helps the viewer understand the purpose of the story.
The lack of closure in the movie leaves the viewer with a sense of disappointment and confusion.
Filmmakers should aim to provide their viewers with a sense of closure and satisfaction, especially when dealing with serious topics like injustice and the fight for justice.