TAKEN AWAY

US, 1989, 94 minutes, Colour.
Valerie Bertinelli, Kevin Dunn.
Directed by John D.Patterson.

Taken Away is a forceful telemovie about a young single mother, her trying to bring up her daughter, an accident and the authorities intervening and taking away her daughter. It is quite realistic, set in a context of women of limited means, abilities, trying to better themselves, overcome their past. The film shows the relationship between mother and daughter, the right of authorities to intervene and the presumptions that they must make. It also highlights Legal Aid and the justice system.

Valerie Bertinelli is good as the mother. The rest of the characters perform credibly - especially in a movie designed for a very wide and popular audience watching television.

Youth groups and students in high school could well benefit by seeing the movie and reflecting on and discussing the issues and characters.

1.Impact of the telemovie? Themes and treatment? For a wide audience?

2.The American city, apartments, the courts, Legal Aid, institutions for children?

3.The credibility of characters, situations, perspectives?

4.Stephanie and Abby, at home, the absent father and the divorce, Stephanie and her computer study, the pressure of the exams, her job? Brenda looking after Abby? The background of Stephanie's mother's death? Her mother looking after her? Her being persuaded by Abby to leave her alone for some hours?

5.Abby alone, playing, wanting to do something for her mother, the accident? The audience knowing the truth? Ringing Emergency? The police, their reaction, photos, questions, the interrogation, the physical examination, the presumptions? The reactions of police, staff? Mrs Pearson?

6.Stephanie and her reaction, the loss, wary? Brenda's support? The police, creating scenes? Going to Legal Aid, before the judge and her outbursts, damaging her case? Going to the institution and her outburst? Her behaving better, going to see Abby, the chicken pox? The discussions with Brenda and Brenda challenging her? Their reconciliation? Discussions with Mrs Pearson, her experience, presumptions? The friendship with Tom - but having to separate because of Abby? Seeking jobs, the child care and the lack of opportunity? Brenda and her husband helping with the apartment? Readier to face the court? Persuading the Legal Aid officer of her sincerity? Her facing herself, memories of her own life, wildness, early pregnancy, separation? Decision to do better?

7.Abby and her eight years, love for her mother, the accident, calling Emergency, her reaction to the police, to the institution, bewilderment and fear, the court scenes, wanting to go home with her mother, the chicken pox, playing with the children and their pressures to keep silent, with the psychiatrist and her sulkiness? This experience and her future?

8.Brenda and her husband, tensions at home, Brenda looking after Abby, telling Stephanie the truth, envious of her in the past, her own family, the husband and his watching TV, their rising to the occasion and helping Stephanie with the apartment?

9.Mrs Pearson, her interviews, sternness, in court, the investigation, her interpretation of the data, challenged as to making a mistake, her memories of the past, her final decision and its balance in the court?

10.Legal Aid, hard-working people, angers, the relentlessness of their work, his changing his heart, admiring Stephanie, helping her, the speech in the court?
11.The background of contemporary living, relationships, marriage and divorce, family, single parents? A good image of life in the contemporary city?