In the Gloaming

Original produced for HBO, this hour-long drama marks the emotionally stressful turning point for a family nearly torn apart by the tragedy of AIDS. It also marked a turning point for actor Christopher Reeve, making an acclaimed directorial debut following the horse-riding accident that left him a quadriplegic, paralyzed from the shoulders down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe. This moving drama proved that Reeve could succeed in his second career, drawing upon his own experience to elicit fine performances from his distinguished cast. Robert Sean Leonard plays a gay man in his early 20s who returns to the home of his affluent parents in upstate New York, dying from AIDS and wishing to spend his final months with his family. While his mother (Glenn Close) responds with care and compassion with the help of a live-in nurse (Whoopi Goldberg), his father (David Strathairn) is unable to accept his son's sexual orientation, much less his inevitable death. His sister (Bridget Fonda) is equally confused and detached from the family, and this emotionally wrenching situation generates a slow and painful change in the dynamics of this dysfunctional family. Similar in theme and quality to Ordinary People, this thoughtfully written and directed film packs more honesty and emotion into 62 minutes than most dramas twice that length. It's a showcase for superior talent and a remarkable achievement for everyone involved. --Jeff Shannon