Who doesn't dread a TV movie? But then again, how many TV movies are advertised on billboards on the side of the highway? I read the reviews before I watched this movie, and they weren't kind. I thought it was charming. Patricia Heaton slips comfortably out of the `Raymond' housewife role into the convincing life of a washed-up Broadway dancer. She's incredibly sympathetic as a conflicted woman who has never had a break in her life and seems to just be living in ever-repeating circles and never goes anywhere. Her only salvation is in her young daughter, who is oddly wise for her age. She (Heaton) wants to trust, but hates herself when she finally does. Then there's Jeff Daniels. He's always good. I wouldn't have thought he could pull off this role, but the gay Shakespeare bit and the neurotic outbursts are all well done. As far as TV movies go, this was right on the money. There were some things that were probably hangovers from the original that didn't quite fit in with the present day, such as the incense, nude guitar playing, and bicarbonate for stomach aches, but that just nit-picking. I don't like to over-analyze things just to sound smart, so I'll just say that if you can't make it to the theater, then sit back and enjoy this one at home. I give this movie a little 'handicap' score since it was on TV, and so I give it a 7. Enjoy!
Review of The Goodbye Girl
