Lifetime - Television for Women
Different Press Kit
Original Author/Contact: Adina Barnett
May 1999

Synopsis

Hope Talmadge's (Annabeth Gish) life was full of idealized promise of an 11-year-old until a car accident left her mentally disabled. After the accident, Hope was sent away to special schools and group homes because her mother, Amanda (Lynn Redgrave), was never able to accept her daughter's imperfections. Over the years, Hope's father, Russell (Nigel Bennett), tried to have a relationship with his daughter.

At 30, Hope is now happily married to Bernie Goodell (Ben Siegler), a man who was born developmentally disabled. Together, they have a healthy 11-year-old daughter, Libby (Cecilley Carroll). For years, they have lived in a supervised group home, but now budget cuts have forced its closing. With Russell's help, Hope and her family plan to move into their own house located near Amanda and Russell.

While Hope and Bernie adjust to their new neighborhood, Amanda aggressively develops a relationship with Libby once it's clear that Libby is perfect. Before the accident, Hope had been an aspiring ballerina. Presuming that Libby will love to dance too, Amanda enrolls her in ballet class. Libby is quite taken with her newfound grandmother and all that she offers. When Amanda registers Libby for her new school she is caught by surprise when Libby decides to register as Libby Talmadge; yet she doesn't dispute the name change or balk at being called Mom. For Libby, it's an opportunity to have a normal mother like everyone else.

Hope and Bernie struggle to make ends meet with their minimum wage jobs. Not understanding the consequences of a maxed out credit card, they suddenly find themselves broke. When Libby becomes desperately ill, Bernie and Hope have no money for food or medical care and Bernie must turn to Amanda for help. Amanda insists that Libby stay with she and Russell, even after she recovers. She allows Libby to visit her parents once a week, and they can visit Libby once a week. Although she loves her parents dearly, Libby is relieved to stay with her grandparents because they offer her something she's never had - a normal life. Hope and Bernie are determined to get Libby back and both take second jobs to pay off their debts. Hope also joins a developmentally-challenged dance troupe at the suggestion of her counselor.

At Thanksgiving dinner, Hope happily announces that she and Bernie have paid off their bills and that it's time for Libby to come home. She also tells the family that she's dancing in a recital with "The Famous People Players." Libby is horrified. Her dance group is part of the same recital.

Libby reluctantly goes home, but with Amanda's help, she tries to prolong the charade that she's Amanda and Russell's daughter. She doesn't tell Hope about her first dance recital but Hope finds out about it and decides to surprise Libby. At the recital, Hope is shocked when the teacher announces Libby's name as Libby Talmadge. Hope jumps onto the stage to correct the teacher, which embarrasses Libby. After an emotional argument with Libby, Hope goes home, packs Libby's things and brings them over to Amanda's house. She explains to a confused Russell that Libby is not her daughter any longer.

Bernie convinces Hope that Libby really does love them but that she is just a child. The two of them go over to Amanda and Russell's house to take Libby home again. While Amanda watches Hope pack up Libby's things, Hope finally lets loose with the feelings of rejection she has been bottling up over the past 20 years. After they leave, Russell tells Amanda that he doesn't know how she could be so cold-hearted toward their daughter and he threatens to leave her if she doesn't come to terms with Hope's condition and love her for who she is.

On the night of Hope's recital, Libby and Hope perform side by side on stage. Waiting in the wings in Amanda, who has found a way to open her arms and heart to both her daughter and granddaughter.

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