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Common Ground
- Director: Donna Deitch
- Writer: Paula Vogel; Terrence McNally
- Producer: Brian Kerwin; A.D. Oppenheim
CGiii Comment
3 short stories told through 3 generations...a lesbian in the navy, a closeted teacher, and a father watches his son marry a man.
It's small-town mentality converging on what they do not want to converge on.
For a TV movie, it is pretty hard-hitting and there's no faulting the well-known cast - who all turn in admirable performances.
The script may be a little heavy-handed...but, it is TV - can't be too complex or subtle for the masses.
And, Deitch directs with suitable simplicity.
No trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
This movie contains three short stories dealing with the theme of homosexuality. In "A Friend of Dorothy", a woman joins the Navy during the 1950's and discovers lesbianism. In "Mr. Roberts", a teacher in a 1970's classroom struggles with his closeted gay status. Finally in "Amos and Andy", a father wrestles with his own emotional acceptance of a present day wedding between his son and another man.
Cast & Characters
Erik Knudsen as Young Johnny Burroughs;
Brittany Murphy as Dorothy Nelson;
Jason Priestley as Billy;
Margot Kidder as Mrs. Nelson;
Helen Shaver as Janet;
Mimi Rogers as McPherson;
David Hemblen as Chester Burroughs;
Aron Tager as Mr. Manos;
Paulino Nunes as Navy Recruiter;
Brian Kerwin as Chuck Dawson;
Shirley Josephs as Mrs. Manos;
Ann Holloway as Mrs. Burgess;
Patti Medwid as Mrs. Dawson;
Sean O'Neill as Barber Shop Boy;
Andrew Butcher as Barber Shop Boy