Watch a detailed breakdown of the film's impact and the awards it won for its realistic portrayal of autism:
is a raw and emotionally charged TV drama that avoids the typical sentimental tropes of the "movie of the week" genre. It centers on Sally Goodson (played by Kirstie Alley), a woman whose life is entirely consumed by the care of her teenage autistic son, David. Performances: A Career-High for Kirstie Alley David's MotherMovie | 1994
The plot follows Sally's struggle to keep David "out of the system" after years of dodging social workers. Watch a detailed breakdown of the film's impact
The heart of the film is Kirstie Alley’s powerhouse performance, which earned her an Emmy Award for Lead Actress . The heart of the film is Kirstie Alley’s
Alley portrays Sally as a "ferociously angry" and fiercely protective mother who has isolated herself from the world to care for David. Reviewers from Entertainment Weekly noted her ability to make the character seem mean, pathetic, or even wrong, without losing the audience's empathy.
In addition to its acting wins, it received the Humanitas Prize for its meaningful writing.
Despite its heavy subject matter, critics from Variety highlighted the film's "interesting and humorous editing," particularly in a blind date scene, which helps balance the emotional weight.