barb_s13 I was flipping channels last night, trying to find something to watch, when I came across this movie. I was immediately drawn into the story and thankfully, tuned in close to the beginning. The performances of both Kirstie Alley and Delroy Lindo were outstanding. I worked with developmentally and mentally disadvantaged youths for a few years each summer as a teen and I feel their portrayals were spot on. However, I did not see the Thorntons on "Sixty Minutes." I always knew Kirstie Alley could act, but this was incredible. It was obvious to me that she immersed herself completely in the role. These two people were not just profoundly normal, they had more strength of character and drive than most people I have met in my lifetime. After watching this movie, I feel like I am a better person and I would love to meet them. I can relate to the beating/rape scene because I am a rape survivor. To see that it did not affect her big heart and her love of life is inspiring, to put it lightly. We need more movies like this!

dennis_speer 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.

vchimpanzee 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.

deestk As I am currently training to become a Community Support Worker and am looking forward to my career in this field and being an advocate for people who have disabilities. The movie gave me an opportunity to sit down with friends that don't understand the importance of of a disabled persons independance and they now understand what it is we are trying to bring to our community. That people who are disabled have the right to live lives like anybody else. With respect and dignity.