The Deep End of the Ocean ** (1999, Michelle Pfeiffer, Treat Williams, Whoopi Goldberg) – Classic Movie Review 9981

Director Ulu Grosbard’s 1999 true story child abduction drama The Deep End of the Ocean is based on the book Jacquelyn Mitchard, and stars Michelle Pfeiffer, Treat Williams and Whoopi Goldberg.

Michelle Pfeiffer finds herself floundering in shallow waters as real-life photographer-mother Beth Cappadora, whose life with nice husband Pat (Treat Williams) and older son Vincent (aged seven) (Cory Buck) starts to fall apart after she loses her three-year-old son Ben at a high school reunion, snatched from a crowded hotel lobby.

Nine years later, her troubles start all over again when a boy knocks on the door who turns out to be Ben, now living with his adoptive father (John Kapelos), a neighbour in the same town.

Pfeiffer gives a competent but anonymous performance in a film that doesn’t come near to suggesting the emotional pain and trauma the family went through, and Whoopi Goldberg is really quite bad as the friendly lesbian cop who tries to help. But just when you think it has sunk into TV movie graveyard, in come lovely performances by the two young actors (Jonathan Jackson, Ryan Merriman) who play the older versions of the sons, providing something warmly sincere and touching.

Also in the cast are Alexa Vega, Michael McGrady, Brenda Strong, Michael McElroy, Tony Musante, Rose Gregorio, Lucinda Jenney, John Roselius, K K Dodds, Joey Simmrin and Holly Towne.

The Deep End of the Ocean is directed by Ulu Grosbard, runs 115 minutes, is made by Mandalay and Via Rosa, is released by Columbia, is written by Stephen Schiff, is written by Stephen Goldblatt, based on the book Jacquelyn Mitchard, is produced by Kate Guinzberg, is scored by Elmer Bernstein and is designed by Dan Davis.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9981

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