Jean Smart's TV movies
Another thread to discus the TV movies of an actress known for her TV movie career. Here are the ones I've seen:
1. Change of Heart (1998) Perhaps her most well-known TV movie. Jean plays a doctor who works with her husband. They have two teenage children together. Jean learns that her husband is secretly gay, and is having gay affairs. This movie isn't terrific- it's a little bland. But it's still interesting.
2. The Yarn Princess (1994) Jean stars as a woman who is slightly mentally challenged. She has 5 sons, and when her husband becomes ill, the state investigates her, to determine if she is an unfit mother. Although the movie is unexceptional, Jean gives a terrific, Emmy-worthy performance.
3. Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story (1992) HORRIBLE version of the true story that was later retold in the Oscar-winning movie "Monster". The script is AWFUL! The story is about a prostitute who is also a serial killer, but the movie is told entirely from the police officers' perspectives. We even have scenes with the police officers at home, living their private lives. Even though she is the title character, Jean only has a supporting role is this police-centered movie that will leave you asking, "Who's story is this anyway?"
4. Audrey's Rain (2003) Pleasant, if somewhat slow-moving story starring Jean as a woman who raises her niece and nephew after her sister's suicide. Carol Kane has a large supporting role as Jean's best friend. I liked this one.
5. The Other Side of Love (aka. Locked Up: A Mother's Rage) (1991) Jean has a large supporting role in this. Cheryl Ladd stars as a gullible waitress who is framed by a customer, and ends up in prison. Jean plays Cheryl's sister, who must raise Cheryl's children, after Cheryl goes to jail. I liked this one too.
6. Blind Judgement (aka. A Seduction in Travis County) (1991) Jean only has a small supporting role in this. Lesley Ann Warren stars as a woman who wants to have an affair with her lawyer (Peter Coyote), so she decides to kill his wife (Jean). This one is pretty good, but Jean's only in it for less than 20 minutes total.
7. A Stranger in Town (1995) Jean stars as a woman with a baby. Gregory Hines is a door to door salesman who refuses to leave her house. As the movie goes on, there are new revelations, and things are not really as they originally seem. Unfortunately this movie suffers from seeming like an adapted stage play, and the characters rarely leave the house. But Jean stars in every scene so if you like her, this is a must-see.
8. Just My Imagination (1992) Jean stars as a spinster schoolteacher who lives with her mom (Audra Lindley) in a conservative small town. One day, a famous musician who went to school with Jean, releases a song about having sex with her. This creates a scandal in her town and she loses her job. She then goes to Hollywood to confront the singer. Tom Wopat and Mary Kay Place costar. This is good for a light-hearted comedy, and Jean stars in every scene.
......Those are the ones I've seen so far.