Watch For Their Own Good

For Their Own Good is a 1993 American made-for-television drama film directed by Ed Kaplan and stars Elizabeth Perkins, Laura San Giacomo, and Charles Haid. The movie deals with a difficult topic that's all too familiar to many people - domestic abuse. The central character of the story is Karen (played by Laura San Giacomo), a young mother who is the victim of regular abuse at the hands of her husband, Bruce (played by Charles Haid). With a small daughter to protect, Karen struggles to keep her situation hidden from the outside world, but things come to a head when her daughter falls ill as a result of one of Bruce's violent outbursts.

As Karen struggles to come to terms with her situation, she meets a charismatic lawyer named Allison (played by Elizabeth Perkins) who encourages her to take legal action against her husband. At first, Karen is hesitant to take such a step, but as Allison gradually wins her trust and gains insight into her situation, Karen begins to see a way out of the abuse cycle that has governed her life for so long.

The movie does an excellent job of portraying the many complexities involved in domestic abuse. As Karen struggles to come to terms with her own feelings of guilt and shame, she also finds herself dealing with an unsympathetic legal system that is all too willing to dismiss her case and return her to her abuser. Amidst all this, Karen's daughter remains a constant presence, a reminder of the importance of fighting for a better future.

At the heart of the story is the relationship between Karen and Allison. Elizabeth Perkins delivers a standout performance as the dedicated lawyer who is determined to help Karen. Her character is both tough and compassionate, and her scenes with Laura San Giacomo are some of the best in the film. As the two women work together to build a case against Bruce, they find themselves growing closer, and the movie deftly explores the complex emotional bonds that can form between two people in such a challenging situation.

The movie also does an excellent job of exploring the larger social issues around domestic abuse. We see how the legal system can be stacked against women in abusive relationships, and how many women are forced to rely on the charity of others in order to escape their situations. The film also shows the impact of domestic abuse on children, and how it can continue to affect them long after they leave their abusive homes. While the movie does not offer easy solutions to these problems, it does provide a much-needed insight into the complex realities of domestic abuse.

Overall, For Their Own Good is a powerful and emotional film that tackles an important issue with sensitivity and honesty. The performances from Elizabeth Perkins, Laura San Giacomo and Charles Haid are all excellent, and the script handles the subject matter with depth and nuance. Despite the sometimes difficult subject matter, the film ends on a note of hope, showing that there is always a way out of even the most challenging situations. This is a movie that is sure to move and inspire anyone who has ever faced the challenges of domestic abuse.

For Their Own Good is a 1993 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.