Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted
| Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted | |
|---|---|
 Video Cover | |
| Directed by | George Kaczender |
| Produced by |
Marcy Gross Doris Silverton Peter Nelson |
| Written by |
Doris Silverton Peter Nelson Steve Lawson Dalene Young |
| Starring |
JoBeth Williams Chris Burke Dana Barron Jeffrey DeMunn Madge Sinclair Chris Demetral Alley Mills Mason Adams Tom Mason Robert Cicchini |
| Music by | Misha Segal |
| Cinematography | Eric Van Haren Noman |
| Edited by | Stephen Michael |
| Distributed by | Stephen J. Cannel Productions |
Release dates | October 16, 1992 |
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Jonathan: The Boy Nobody Wanted, inspired by a true story concerning a landmark legal decision for rights of the disabled, is a 1992 NBC Movie of Week starring JoBeth Williams and Chris Burke.[1] The film was directed by George Kaczender.
Plot
Jonathan (Chris Burke), a youth with Down Syndrome, is carelessly institutionalized by his parents (Alley Mills and Tom Mason). Ginny Moore (JoBeth Williams), a compassionate volunteer, immediately bonds with Jonathan, alleviating his loneliness and isolation by appointing herself a surrogate mother. Eventually, Jonathan begins to spend more and more time at Ginny's home where he forges a strong bond with the rest of her family (Dana Barron, Chris Demetral, Jeffrey DeMunn). Though his attitude and abilities show a staggering improvement due to Ginny's influence, Jonathan is faced with a new hardship when he is diagnosed with a rare heart disorder that his parents refuse permission to be medically cured. Thus, Ginny must launch a legal campaign to gain guardianship of Jonathan and allow the treatment needed to save his life.
Cast
- JoBeth Williams ... Ginny Moore
- Chris Burke ... Jonathan Willis
- Dana Barron ... Laurie Moore
- Chris Demetral ... Brad Moore
- Madge Sinclair ... Faye Lincoln
- Jeffrey DeMunn ... Frank Moore
- Tom Mason ... Max Willis
- Robert Cicchini ... Neil Vogler
- Mason Adams ... Judge Colbert
- Paul Linke ... Dr. Sullivan
- H. Richard Greene ... Wolff
- Alley Mills ... Carol Willis
- Lorraine Morin-Torre ... Ada
- Brandon Bauer ... Jonathan Willis Ages 11–13
- K.C. Clarizio ... Jonathan Willis Age 6
- Linden Chiles ... Judge Martin
- Damon Sharpe ... Todd
- Kim Delgado ... Bailiff
- Suzanne Reynolds ... Reporter
- Lauree Berger ... Pat Greenway
- Alicia Bergman ... Sue Ann
- Kaley Ward-Hummel ... Newspaper Reporter
- Judy Milstein ... Impatient Orderly
- Paul L. Nolan ... D.A.
- Dana Chelette ... Orderly
- Mike Principato... Jonathan Willis Brother
References
- ↑ "Life Goes On star lands role in television movie". Rome News-Tribune. October 16, 1992.