LEONARD NIMOY

Bil’s rating (out of 5):  BB. 

USA, 1988.  Touchstone Pictures, Silver Screen Partners IV.   Screenplay by Michael Bortman, based on the novel by Sue Miller.  Cinematography by David Watkin.  Produced by Arne Glimcher.  Music by Elmer Bernstein.  Production Design by Stan Jolley.  Costume Design by Susan Becker.  Film Editing by Peter E. Berger.  

A strong performance by Diane Keaton just can’t save this incredibly dull drama. She plays a divorced, single mother whose conservative ex-husband (James Naughton) objects to the way she’s raising their daughter, particularly considering that she’s got her stud of a boyfriend (Liam Neeson) living with her. When her ex discovers that she’s being very open and honest about sexuality with her daughter, in the vein of “Show Me Where I Come From” books and the like, he takes her to court where he exposes her as a degenerate and moves to have her custody taken away. Leonard Nimoy’s direction is lifeless, and renders the very important issues of parenthood being dealt with here as little more than unimportant soap opera complete with ominous narration and melodramatic performances. Veteran Oscar-winning actress Teresa Wright (Mrs. Miniver) co-stars.