A powerful if sometimes seamy look at a problem more famously dealt with in THE MIRACLE WORKER. Crawford is a wealthy American, estranged from her husband, who is visiting her birthplace in Ireland when she meets Sears, a young girl who is deaf, blind, and mute as a result of psychological
trauma. Since there is no specialized medical service in her small town, Sears' condition has remained untreated. At the urging of a local priest, the childless Crawford decides to take Sears into her life as a surrogate daughter. After much struggle and many years, the girl begins to respond to
treatment. Then Brazzi, Crawford's ex, reappears. From Crawford, he wants money; from Sears--now grown to young womanhood--he wants something else.
It's more melodramatic than THE MIRACLE WORKER, and the focus is as much on the people around the girl as the girl herself. Crawford showed off her acting range in familiar melo territory, and the result was a Best Actress Award from the British Film Academy. A strong story, good acting, and a
most literate script from Charles Kaufman, who also wrote the screenplay for FREUD. leave a comment