TWO MOTHERS FOR ZACHARY

US, 1996, 95 minutes, Colour.
Valerie Bertinelli, Vanessa Redgrave, James Gammon.
Directed by Peter Werner.

Two Mothers for Zachary is an American telemovie, designed for the home audience, making a special pleading case. Valerie Bertinelli portrays a mother who has exhibited irresponsibility but, after giving birth, enters into a lesbian relationship. Her mother, played by Vanessa Redgrave, disapproves and fights in the courts for the custody of the son.

The film makes an emotional as well as an intellectual appeal for the possibility of a lesbian mother in a relationship rearing her son. However, the Commonwealth of Virginia in its legislation prohibits this kind of arrangement and argues for the protection of the child by giving custody to the grandmother.

The film takes a strong viewpoint, argues its case and draws an emotional response from the audience. However, it probably will not persuade those opposed to the idea to change their minds.

An example of the role of the American telemovie in influencing public opinion.

1.The impact of the telemovie? Its themes and issues? Social concern, moral concern? The good of the child, family?

2.The film as a case of special pleading? Its stance on its issues? The good of the child, the good of the mother, the mother and her relationship and its effect on the child? Issues of custody, education?

3.Richmond, Virginia, the Virginia setting? The city, the homes, the courts?

4.The title and its comment on the roles of Jody and Nancy? Audiences having to decide in favour of one or the other?

5.The opening, Nancy and the demand for the child? Going back 18 months? Nancy and the joy of the birth of the child? Her assisting at the birth? The effect of the birth, Jody and the experience, her clashes with Keith during the birth? The joy of the child? Keith's mother and holding the baby, Nancy's reaction?

6.The initial experience of Jody with the child? The support of her mother? Keith and his giving up rights to care for the child? Jody and her getting a job, her friendship with her school friend? The introduction to Maggie, enjoying Maggie's company, the picnic, Maggie's revelation about her rape and the adoption of the child? The bond between the two?

7.The character of Nancy, her determination, her being abandoned by her husband, bringing up son and daughter? Her relationship with Harmon? His being in the background? The irony of the revelation in the court that he had sexually abused Jody? Her reaction? Harmon's leaving? Nancy and her determination to have Zachary and care for him? Jody's scepticism about her love, her comments to Robert Lee?

8.The bond between Jody and Maggie? The relationship, the decision to live together, setting up house? Nancy's reaction to the revelation and commenting on Jody's phases that she had helped her through? The household, Zachary as happy, Maggie and her care? Jody and her short temper, her anger at times with Zachary? Her going to counselling?

9.The phone call, the setting up of the court case? Jody searching for a lawyer, desperate, his help? The presentation in the court and her losing custody? Her having to give Zachary over to Nancy? Nancy and her home care for Zachary?

10.Jody, not wanting to make decision between Maggie and Zachary? Going to other lawyers, preparing the case? The clashes with Nancy and Nancy's protectiveness against Jody's visiting Zachary? The reaction of her brother and his disdain? The friend from school and her not wanting to be friends? Jody and her going to the media? The newspapers? The appeal, her winning the appeal - and Nancy's lawyer making a further appeal and retaining custody?

11.Jody and her desperation, her wanting to run away? Her meeting the woman in the shop and getting the confidence? Her not winning the appeal - and the case pending?

12.The character of Jody, ordinary young woman, wild, the pressures of home, the sexual abuse from Harmon? The birth? Her lesbian orientation, living with Maggie, her love for Maggie?

13.The character of Maggie, strong, dependable, concerned? Her support of Jody and her love for Zachary? Her communication with Nancy?

14.Issues of sexual orientation, the law? In relationship to families, to the rearing of children and of custody? The stance of the film, the responses evoked in audiences?