Our Sons

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Our Sons
GenreDrama
Based onToo Little, Too Late (documentary)
by Micki Dickoff
Written by William Hanley
Directed by John Erman
Starring
Composer John Morris
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Micki Dickoff
  • Philip K. Kleinbart
Production locations Van Buren, Arkansas
Balboa Medical Center
Los Angeles
Cinematography Tony Imi
Running time96 minutes
Production company Robert Greenwald Productions
Original release
Network ABC [1]
ReleaseMay 19, 1991 (1991-05-19)

Our Sons is a 1991 American made-for-television drama film starring Julie Andrews and Ann-Margret as two mothers of gay sons, one of whom is dying of AIDS. [2] It was inspired by Micki Dickoff's 1987 documentary, Too Little, Too Late, about three families who had supported children with AIDS which had won an Emmy Award. [3] [4]

Contents

As it was a TV movie, ”It’s much safer to take the route of dealing with the two mothers” as the protagonists, said director John Erman. [1]

It was broadcast the same day as GMHC's annual AIDS Walk in New York. [5]

Plot

With his partner Donald dying of AIDS, James asks his mother Audrey, a businesswoman in San Diego, to travel to Fayetteville, Arkansas and notify Donald's estranged mother, Luanne. A small town waitress, Luanne must overcome her own overt homophobia and learn to love her son unconditionally. In the process, Luanne cements a lasting friendship with Audrey, who is struggling with her own, less explicit, homophobia.

Cast

Reception

Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly magazine stated "Our Sons means well, and performances are above reproach. But it’s also an infuriating piece of work that insults the intelligence of everyone invoked, especially its audience". He gave the movie a score of D. [1]

"While the movie is too talky and not poignant enough to be great television, it rates high for integrity" is the opinion of David Hiltbrand of People. He also said that Julie Andrews brings "enormous dignity and clarity to her role". [6]

Co-producer Micki Dickoff later stated "a father in Philadelphia was so moved by the television movie, he reconciled with his AIDS-stricken child". [3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Tucker, Ken (May 17, 1991). "Our Sons". ew.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  2. ↑ Bell, Chris (2006). "American AIDS Film". In Gerstner, David A. (ed.). Routledge International Encyclopedia of Queer Culture (1 ed.). Routledge. pp. 28–29. ISBN   9780415306515 . Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Dickoff, Micki (June 10, 1991). "'Our Sons' Put a Human Face on AIDS Crisis". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  4. ↑ Arar, Yardena (August 23, 1991). "Short film 'Mother, Mother' raises money for AIDS". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  5. ↑ Frydlewicz, Rob. "Julie Andrews & Ann-Margret Star in AIDS Drama "Our Sons" (May 19, 1991)". thestarryeye.typepad.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  6. ↑ Hiltbrand, David (May 20, 1991). "Picks and Pans Review: Our Sons" . Retrieved August 23, 2018.
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