Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter?
| Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter? | |
|---|---|
 Promotional advertisement |
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| Directed by | Chuck Bowman |
| Written by | Liz Coe |
| Starring | Linda Gray Jamie Luner |
| Music by | Bruce Babcock |
| Cinematography | Michael Hofstein |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Original channel | NBC |
| Release date | April 28, 1993 |
| Running time | 96 minutes |
Moment of Truth: Why My Daughter? is a 1993 television film directed by Chuck Bowman.
Contents |
[edit] Plot
Set in the 1980s, the story focuses on Diana Moffit, a likable 17-year-old teenager. Trouble starts when her parents decide to file for divorce. She takes the split very hard and begins a relationship with A.J., a 26-year-old man who turns out to be a pimp. He lures her into the world of drugs and prostitution, which results into dropping out of school, quiting her job and estrangement from her mother Gayle. Gayle is devastated by this news and even goes as far as confronting Diana in a strip club where she is working. Desperate to save her daughter, she often confronts her and starts looking for ways to do something about it. Diana sometimes shows interest in her old life, but she has trouble breaking out of the dark world she is living in.
Diana is eventually mysteriously murdered, much to the horrible distress of Gayle, who strongly feels that A.J. is responsible. Determined to get A.J. behind bars, she contacts the police, but they can't find a way to charge him. Looking for another related charge, she meets April, one of his prostitutes. Soon, she starts to get information from her which could enable her to successfully charge him with the murder of her daughter.
[edit] Cast
- Linda Gray as Gayle Moffitt
- Jamie Luner as Diana Moffitt
- James Eckhouse as Sergeant Jack Powell
- Alanna Ubach as April
- Antonio Sabàto, Jr. as A.J. Treece
[edit] Production
The film sparked Jamie Luner's return to acting and was also her film debut.[citation needed] Based on actual events, Linda Gray accepted the lead role, because saw it as an opportunity "to share and educate other women".[1] The real Gayle Moffit was on the set during production, but Gray decided not to contact her, because she wanted to act out of her own maternal instincts.[1] She admitted that her presence was a great distraction, feeling that she was often judged.[1] She ended up even ignoring her.[1]
For Antonio Sabàto, Jr., who landed the role because of his sex appeal, the movie sparked his first appearance on primetime television.[2] Filming took place in Portland, Oregon.[3] The movie received generally negative reviews, being called 'melodramatic', 'formulaic' and with 'weak performances'.[3]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Shades of Gray - A Break Was Nice But the 'Dallas' Star Aims to Get Busy Los Angeles Times - April 25, 1993
- ^ Sabato Faces a 'Moment of Truth' - Television: The 21-year-old, who has been turning heads on 'General Hospital' for about a year, makes his prime-time debut in an NBC movie. Los Angeles Times - April 27, 1993
- ^ a b Daily Variety, April 23, 1993 - Review by Hoyt Hillsman
