Written by the astute Shapiro team (husband and wife, Richard and Esther), this TV-made drama involves Dennis Weaver abusing wife Sally Struthers, sometimes in front of their two kids, and how everyone covers up--desperate to keep this ugly secret in the closet. Many years before "The Burning Bed" came this less-sensational suburban nightmare with concerns which are unfortunately timeless. Dennis Weaver does solid work. As for Sally Struthers, she became something of a punchline in the 1990s with her over-the-top TV commercials, yet as an actress during this era she was very brave (her character here is a world apart from Gloria on "All In The Family"). As a straightforward, no-nonsense examination of abuse, "Intimate Strangers" is harrowing, dramatic food-for-thought designed for grown-up people.
3 Reviews
Not a great title for a serious subject.
mark.waltz16 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Certainly people fight in marriages and say the wrong things, but when someone gets injured, it becomes an issue. For housewives Sally Struthers, dealing with sometimes volatile husband Dennis Weaver has infrequently lead to injuries, and as his business dealings (ironically involving Larry Hagman, later of "Dallas"), he's quite a character going to get worse until she ends up in the hospital.
This TV movie reminds me of the "Designing Women" episode "The Rowdy Girls" where the husband's explosions lead to apologies yet recurring incidents that just gets worse and worse. Fortunately Struthers has a sounding board with old best friend Tyne Daly who offers her strong support and even confronts Weaver. But promises of changing don't always mean that will actually happen, and eventually, things are forced to a head.
Good performances all around doesn't help the fact that you feel like you are looking in someone's curtains, and the feeling of uncomfortable truths make this a difficult movie to watch without getting despondent. Weaver certainly has his issues, and that includes some with his own father played by the legendary Melvin Douglas, but the confrontation scenes with Struthers has a tone that will have the audience painfully cringing. He's not a completely evil man or monster, but one who definitely needs to take a step back and look at himself, and it will take a lot of paying for Struthers to finally stand up to him.
I've never seen so many legendary TV stars from hit shows together in one movie, and it's interesting to see "Dallas" star Hagman working for Aaron Spelling and the writers of "Dynasty". This is where Gloria Bunker Stivick is married to McLoud and advised by future TV cop Cagney. I certainly think you have to be in the right mood to see this as it is the type of film that could project a lot of emotions, some not so positive. This is definitely one of those films where viewer discretion is advised, even for the adults.
This TV movie reminds me of the "Designing Women" episode "The Rowdy Girls" where the husband's explosions lead to apologies yet recurring incidents that just gets worse and worse. Fortunately Struthers has a sounding board with old best friend Tyne Daly who offers her strong support and even confronts Weaver. But promises of changing don't always mean that will actually happen, and eventually, things are forced to a head.
Good performances all around doesn't help the fact that you feel like you are looking in someone's curtains, and the feeling of uncomfortable truths make this a difficult movie to watch without getting despondent. Weaver certainly has his issues, and that includes some with his own father played by the legendary Melvin Douglas, but the confrontation scenes with Struthers has a tone that will have the audience painfully cringing. He's not a completely evil man or monster, but one who definitely needs to take a step back and look at himself, and it will take a lot of paying for Struthers to finally stand up to him.
I've never seen so many legendary TV stars from hit shows together in one movie, and it's interesting to see "Dallas" star Hagman working for Aaron Spelling and the writers of "Dynasty". This is where Gloria Bunker Stivick is married to McLoud and advised by future TV cop Cagney. I certainly think you have to be in the right mood to see this as it is the type of film that could project a lot of emotions, some not so positive. This is definitely one of those films where viewer discretion is advised, even for the adults.
early wife abuse drama
blanche-28 September 2005
Before we heard a lot about wife beating, this excellent film depicted it from both sides and explored the issue. Sally Struthers is the abused wife, and Dennis Weaver is the confused and sometimes out of control husband. Tyne Daly is great in a supporting role as a friend of the wife.
Weaver does a wonderful job in depicting the husband and making him sympathetic. It is almost painful to watch his torment. He is a man deeply troubled by what it means to be a man, having picked up some bizarre signals in his childhood. As his life's frustrations come to a boil, he takes it out on Struthers, sometimes in front of their children. As his wife eventually struggles for independence, she engenders his jealousy as well as his anger.
This is an very moving and well done film for television. Highly recommended.
Weaver does a wonderful job in depicting the husband and making him sympathetic. It is almost painful to watch his torment. He is a man deeply troubled by what it means to be a man, having picked up some bizarre signals in his childhood. As his life's frustrations come to a boil, he takes it out on Struthers, sometimes in front of their children. As his wife eventually struggles for independence, she engenders his jealousy as well as his anger.
This is an very moving and well done film for television. Highly recommended.
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