Another updated remake of a classic movie (itself based upon a flop Broadway play), this stars Elizabeth Montgomery as a tough TV producer who discovers that she has a terminal illness. Montgomery once again proves that she's more than the kindly witch suffering nosy neighbors and mothers-in-law and her own nasty mother, here dealing with her match making, advice giving best friend, anchor woman Michelle Lee. Doctor Anthony Hopkins is Lee's hopeful chosen suitor for la Lizzie, here quite acidic in attitude and unwilling to have anyone convince her that she's anything more than the dynamic force of nature she pretends to be.
Quite different in many ways than the movie (also remade with Susan Hayward as "Stolen Hours"), this can be judged on its own merits rather than the famous Bette Davis classic. Montgomery is always watchable, even here where she's not always likeable. A montage of stills showing her treatment is a dizzying effect, but gives an indication of the detailed treatment she goes through. This is where her character of Katherine begins to show some vulnerability and fear, and Montgomery really wins you over. You can see why she wanted to escape the image of Samantha with quite a different slew of character types, often complicated and not always sweetness and light.
Lee is a gorgeous co-star, like Montgomery having one of the best smiles in the business, and with just one look and no words able to tell Katharine how serious her condition is, a loyal friend of the highest order. Hopkins, then a respected but not yet legendary actor, is quite noble and commanding. By updating this to the world of television in the 1970's you get to see Montgomery playing a role very similar to Faye Dunaway's Diana from "Network", yet not nearly as ruthless, even though she does have a staff meeting in her hospital room. These changes really work to modernize a soapy tale, and that makes it quite above average.
Quite different in many ways than the movie (also remade with Susan Hayward as "Stolen Hours"), this can be judged on its own merits rather than the famous Bette Davis classic. Montgomery is always watchable, even here where she's not always likeable. A montage of stills showing her treatment is a dizzying effect, but gives an indication of the detailed treatment she goes through. This is where her character of Katherine begins to show some vulnerability and fear, and Montgomery really wins you over. You can see why she wanted to escape the image of Samantha with quite a different slew of character types, often complicated and not always sweetness and light.
Lee is a gorgeous co-star, like Montgomery having one of the best smiles in the business, and with just one look and no words able to tell Katharine how serious her condition is, a loyal friend of the highest order. Hopkins, then a respected but not yet legendary actor, is quite noble and commanding. By updating this to the world of television in the 1970's you get to see Montgomery playing a role very similar to Faye Dunaway's Diana from "Network", yet not nearly as ruthless, even though she does have a staff meeting in her hospital room. These changes really work to modernize a soapy tale, and that makes it quite above average.
