Approved for All Ages

Sacrifices of the Heart

Kate Weston, in her late 30s, is a successful defense attorney whose specialty is juvenile criminal cases. She has a knack for connecting with troubled adolescent clients – although all of her other relationships leave much to be desired. She has also practically cut her brother, Ryan, and father, Thane, out of her life. Kate is this way because of a traumatic childhood experience: At age 7, she discovered the body of her mother, who had committed suicide.

Kate is going to have to confront old demons, however. Ryan calls from the family farm in rural Woodsville with news that their father might be suffering from early stages of Alzheimer’s. Thane Weston is a stubborn man, however, and refuses to go to the hospital for tests that could explain his increasing memory lapses. Begrudgingly, Kate agrees to go home for the weekend – for the first time in two years – to try to talk their father into being examined. Kate spends time with her father in the hospital, who is officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Kate and Thane begin to bond in a way that they never had. She feels remorse for all of the years they spent apart – and she is determined to make the most of their remaining time together.
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Negative Rating
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SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
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Positive Rating
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Dove Review

Although this film deals with some serious issues, it does so in a respectable manner and the people at the Hallmark Channel should be praised for doing a movie on Alzheimers, which is not something which receives much dramatic attention.

The movie has very mild language and although it deals with suicide and child molestation, the scenes are handled delicately and there is more dialog than there are actual scenes concerning these issues. The redemptive story of the daughter who held a grudge but learns there are more layers to peel regarding her father, is a story which is honorably told. Due to thematic issues, we approve this film for ages twelve and above and we recommend it and award it five doves. The acting, story, and direction are all top notch in this television special. It’s a movie that gets to the heart of family relationships and what families are all about.

Dove Rating Details

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Faith

None

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Integrity

A woman poisons her husband for his evil deeds by film's end. His dead body is shown-not the drinking of the poison.

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Sex

It is established that a step-father molested his step-daughter.

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Language

D-2; H-1

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Violence

A woman poisons her husband for his evil deeds by film's end. His dead body is shown-not the drinking of the poison.

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Drugs

Beer; a few scenes with alcohol.

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Nudity

Cleavage

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Other

There are two cases of suicide in the film but only one is briefly shown--a woman who poisoned herself with carbon monoxide in her car in a garage. The issue of child molestation is dealt with. A brother and sister have a disagreement. The important issue of Alzheimer's is dealt with.

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