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Jeff Daniels, Noah Valencia and Marlee Matlain in
"Sweet Nothing In My Ear"
courtesy of Hallmark Hall of Fame
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“Sweet Nothing In My Ear” (Hallmark Hall of Fame)
Marlee Matlin and Jeff Bridges star in this month’s original movie on “The Hallmark Hall of Fame.” It is titled “Sweet Nothing In My Ear” and concerns the division between those in the deaf community who are against cochlear implants and those who are for them. The movie gives both sides to the issue and then wimps out by not taking a stand.
Dan and Laura Miller (Daniels and Matlin) are a happily married couple with one child. Laura is deaf and so is their son Adam (Noah Valencia). Dan signs fluently and their communication is fine. But one day Adam has an accident and at the emergency room the attending physician suggests cochlear implants might help his hearing. This prompts Dan to do some exploring of the subject and leads him to think this might be a good thing.
This also leads to a strong argument between Dan and Laura. Laura is very much against the implants while Dan thinks it might help his son. Laura is backed up by her father Max (Ed Waterstreet) who is adamant in his opposition to this operation. He argues that deaf people are not handicapped and therefore do not need to be “fixed.” He also says they are a distinct community with their own language which is signing.
The argument between Dan and Laura becomes so intense it ends up in court. In flashbacks we see how the couple reached this point. We also get the perspective of each parent to the child and his abilities.
Matlin and Valencia are both deaf. They bring an authenticity to their roles which would not be there with hearing actors. Daniels is solid in his role and handles the requirements of “signing” with an easy and believable ability.
It is nice to see Phyllis Frelich in this film in the role of Laura’s mother. She played the lead female role in the Broadway production of “Children of A Lesser God” for which she received a Tony Award. Matlin played the same role in the movie version and for her performance she received an Oscar.
The movie is interesting to watch but it ends up being a disappointment by not making a stand. It all leads up to a decisive climax but then just fades away. It is nice that the makers of this film wanted to be fair and balanced but not having a decision in the film wipes out the entertainment value of the movie.
Watching talented actors like Matlin and Daniels is always worth your time and effort, but casting them in a disappointing story like this one is a waste of their talents. Better to watch Matlin on “Dancing With the Stars” where you know she will either come out a winner or a loser. Odd are there won’t be a tie!
The Hallmark Hall of Fame’s production of “Sweet Nothing In My Ear” airs Sunday, April 20 on CBS at 9PM. |
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©2008 Jackie K. Cooper |
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