Watch Family Secrets

Family Secrets is a dramatic thriller from 1984, directed by Jack Hofsiss and produced by Michael Lepiner. This film follows the story of a dysfunctional American family, the Williams, as their dark secrets are aired out in the open. The Williams family is made up of four generations, with diverse personalities and problems. Maureen Stapleton stars as the matriarch, Louise Williams. Louise is a tough and domineering woman, who has been the head of the family for many years. She is a wealthy widow, who runs a successful chemical company left to her by her late husband. The company's profits have made the Williams family one of the wealthiest and most influential families in their community. She has three daughters, two of whom are from her first marriage, and one from her second marriage.

Stefanie Powers plays Susan, the eldest daughter, who has been married to her husband, Paul, for over 30 years. She is a serious and moralistic woman, who is distraught over her son's recent death in a car accident. Susan's grief has caused her to drift apart from her husband, as they both try to cope with their loss in their own ways.

Melissa Gilbert portrays Tina, Louise's youngest daughter, who is the black sheep of the family. She is a free-spirited artist, who has never fit in with her family's expectations of her. Tina has been estranged from her family for years, but after her grandfather's funeral, she finds herself back in the family fold. Her arrival back home stirs up old wounds and causes tensions to rise.

As the film progresses, long-held secrets and betrayals in the family begin to come to light. It becomes clear that each family member has their own agenda and motivations for their actions. The unraveling of these secrets leads to a family crisis, with each member forced to confront their past and the truth behind their actions.

The themes of the movie revolve around family dysfunction and the breakdown of relationships due to a lack of communication, secrets, and unresolved issues. Each character is flawed, and the film doesn't shy away from showing the negative aspects of their personalities. However, it is the performances of the cast that bring depth and complexity to these flawed characters.

Maureen Stapleton delivers an outstanding performance as the matriarch, Louise Williams. She portrays a woman who is stubborn, tough, and at times cruel to her family, but who also has depths of vulnerability and love buried underneath. Stefanie Powers brings a sense of gravitas to her role as Susan, whose strong moral values are tested by her grief and past mistakes. Melissa Gilbert is also excellent as Tina, her carefree attitude and artistic aspirations mask her inner turmoil and pain.

Overall, Family Secrets is a gripping family drama that explores the dark secrets and dysfunctional relationships of a wealthy American family. The film is well-acted, engaging, and keeps the audience guessing about the Williams family's dark past until the very end. It is a film about the importance of honesty, forgiveness, and the power of family ties, however strained they may be.

Family Secrets is a 1984 drama with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.