the audience applauded

Lack of good storyline.

Fantastic!

I didn’t really have many expectations going into the movie (good or bad), but I actually really enjoyed it. I really liked the characters and the banter between them.

I just saw this movie on Lifetime--it was hideous. THIS is the type of movie that was ridiculed in Tropic Thunder--"normal" actors doing their imitation of what THEY think Mentally Retarded people act like. I couldn't BEAR the forced stutters--I've worked with this population as a communication specialist for over 20 years--THEY DON'T STUTTER!!!! I remember seeing the REAL couple on 60 Minutes. It's a beautiful story and one that I've seen quite a number of times in real life. THIS movie--and all movies LIKE this movie do a disservice to developmentally disabled people. There ARE Mentally Retarded actors--HIRE SOME. Kirstie Alley of all people? The story of the real couple was one of fighting against all odds for the kind of life a person wants to have. Developmental Centers are not the same as they were twenty years ago. ANYONE who wants to live in the community is getting the opportunity to live in the community--it's called the OLMSTEAD LAW. Look it up. The only people left in these centers are people who are so medically frail that the only place in the community to care adequately for their needs is a nursing home. That's not any improvement, particularly taking some one away from staff that's they've known for years and consider family. The rest were put there by the court system A person who has always had problems with school (more than likely because there was no support system to make them go) gets into trouble with the law. A lawyer is hired to gets the person diagnosed as ADHD, Explosive Disorder and Borderline Mentally Retarded--BAM--he stays out of jail and is sent to a developmental center. Then, the next time they're looking for people to put into the community--he's out. But that's another movie...

Having had relatives and friends classified as "retarded" during the same era the Thornton's were institutionalized I feel ashamed of how this society behaved. Now I deal with some of the results of closing down most 'Fair-Haven' institutions. Unfortunately not all the displaced residents of such places fared so well. Many did end up as Margaret did. However, Kirstie Alley was wonderful and Delroy Lindo displayed the subtle problems that may have been Ricardo's, or may have been created from growing up in a place like Fair Haven. Both were excellent and when I watched the argument scene it sounded like someone had been listening to my marriage. From what I read there were no great awards for either actor or this film and that is merely another layer of tragedy.

great movie it gave a rare insight to give people examples of how things were and how far we've come.....i also want to comment that there is a huge difference in developmental, or mental DISABILITY and mental illness........while there are people who have both. a mental or developmental disability is not an illness...its a disability, in fact it is the opposite of illness... but regardless of disability or illness or both people who were ''different;; were thought to be ''sick or ill' and were shut away not respected or wanted or accepted, luckily today with civil rights and ,more and more education for all coming up.. people with disabilities also people with mental health issues are advocating and being advocated for, and gaining equality, inclusion, acceptance, and support and respect. and we want to always continue to move forward and learn from our mistakes and treat people the way we want to be treated( i am a scientist specialized in medical, life and laboratory sciences. also i am a social services worker and advocate i work in the services disability department (pardon my terrible typing ) for advocacy speaking or any questions email me at sb110882@yahoo.com

Kirstie Alley is wonderful as Donna, a retarded character based on a real person, who overcame many odds to marry another retarded person. At the beginning of the movie, Donna, Ricardo and their son are being interviewed, and the story is told through flashbacks, which at the beginning alternate between the characters' lives as adults and their experiences as children. Donna and Ricardo live in an institution for the mentally retarded, and at the beginning of the movie, the facility is about to close and force them out into the world. Donna and her friend Margaret get an apartment together, and with the help of Charlotte, they begin adjusting to the real world. Margaret has a harder time, but it's just as well because Donna will soon have enough problems without having to take care of Margaret too. Ricardo shows up at Donna's place one night for a party and, since it is too late for him to go home, he stays the night. Believing that a man and woman shouldn't spend the night together without being married, they decide they should get married. Charlotte supports the idea but has trouble convincing her boss, who would have to approve of the arrangement. The situation gets resolved a little too neatly (I was disappointed there wasn't more of a fight). Once they get married, since we have already seen their 'normal' son, we know what will happen next. It's interesting to note: although I saw 'Jungle Fever' earlier in the day, the fact that Donna is white and Ricardo is black doesn't come up until their son is born and they get a nasty letter.Alley makes this movie work, and she doesn't resemble any of her previous characters. She is smart (considering the circumstances), funny, and determined. Delroy Lindo is also good but he doesn't usually seem retarded. The actress playing Margaret also does quite well, effectively showing problems that are more serious than just mental retardation. And the children in the scenes from the characters' early years are very good also. There are flashbacks from those early years late in the movie which are quite unpleasant. Overall, the movie's tone is upbeat and inspiring, and the characters teach us a lot, making us wonder if we 'normal' people are capable of more.SPOILER: Actually, the reason for dealing with all the unpleasantness is made quite clear at the end, a touching moment where the family visits the grave of Donna's childhood friend, on the former institution grounds.