This made-for-television film from 1999 is a domestic drama that focuses on the father-son relationship in a dysfunctional family. The father, a distinguished physics professor, runs an add for a live-in cook and cleaner. But the job description also includes healing the wounds between the father and son.
Michael Moriarty, Kiefer Sutherland, and Holly Hunter are the three performers asked to tackle this challenging project. It turns out that both the father and son fall in love with the housekeeper. As the drama unfolds, there could be almost any possible outcome to this explosive situation. American playwright Eugene O'Neill wrote a brilliant play on the same subject entitled "Desire Under the Elms."
"Woman Wanted" is uneven and never reaches the level of intensity of O'Neill's play. The credibility is often strained, and there is even a lapse into comedy when the young man gets married and brings his bride home, only to ask his father to arrange an annulment! But the final thirty minutes of the film are compelling.
Sutherland's character evolves nicely, as does Hunter's all-too-human role of the housekeeper. There was good feeling in the performances, and although there were apparent disagreements about directorial choices, the film was shot effectively with smooth transitions and effective scoring.
This may not be a great film, but it is nonetheless a thoughtful one and well above average for made-for-television films.
Michael Moriarty, Kiefer Sutherland, and Holly Hunter are the three performers asked to tackle this challenging project. It turns out that both the father and son fall in love with the housekeeper. As the drama unfolds, there could be almost any possible outcome to this explosive situation. American playwright Eugene O'Neill wrote a brilliant play on the same subject entitled "Desire Under the Elms."
"Woman Wanted" is uneven and never reaches the level of intensity of O'Neill's play. The credibility is often strained, and there is even a lapse into comedy when the young man gets married and brings his bride home, only to ask his father to arrange an annulment! But the final thirty minutes of the film are compelling.
Sutherland's character evolves nicely, as does Hunter's all-too-human role of the housekeeper. There was good feeling in the performances, and although there were apparent disagreements about directorial choices, the film was shot effectively with smooth transitions and effective scoring.
This may not be a great film, but it is nonetheless a thoughtful one and well above average for made-for-television films.