Nobody's Child (1986)

In an Emmy Award-winning role, Marlo Thomas portrays Marie Balter. Abandoned as an infant, Balter endures abuse and neglect by her foster parents. At age 17, doctors misdiagnose her severe panic disorder as schizophrenia, and she spends 20 years in a mental institution.

A heart wrenching true story of the survival of the human spirit, Nobody’s Child journeys from tragedy to triumph as Balter ultimately builds a life, earns a masters degree from Harvard University, and opens her own clinic.

Nobody's child

The first time I watched this movie I cried so hard I thought my heart was breaking. This is what you go through when you are an unwanted child . The fear, anxiety, belonging nowhere. Marie was fortunate to have a doctor care about her. This movie is very realistic. "Please do not let me fail," said Marie. It takes so much to overcome these traumas, then to be misdiagnosed and given the wrong medication that nearly killed her. Marie had faith through all the obstacles, she succeeded against all odds, very inspirational and full of hope against all the darkness in her life. Overcoming the darkness and fears, she created a facility to help others like herself, after graduating from Harvard. She learned what it means to truly love herself and others. May 1, 2008

BEAUTIFULLY DONE FILM

Marlo Thomas is heartbreaking as a mentally ill woman who is misdiagnosed with schizophrenia as a teenager but who is helped by a caring psychiatrist and eventually triumphs over her illness. This is a very emotionally affecting movie. The acting is superb by all. I was very moved by Marlo Thomas' performance as someone who struggles & perseveres to overcome under the most harrowing of circumstances where she was so overmedicated with the wrong medication that she was unable to walk or talk. Her progress and recovery is amazing and inspiring. Lee Grant did a remarkable job of directing. Cried a lot during this movie. I highly recommend it.
October 13, 2007

Great story plus great acting!

I saw this a couple of weeks ago for the first time and LOVE this movie. Marlo Thomas is just great as the main character with mental illness and her story of bravery. It is just amazing how people with mental illness, especially back when this story takes place, are misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and just plain mistreated. Even since this movie was made 20 years ago, some big strides have been made in understanding, diagnosing, and treating people with mental illnesses. Awesome story of bravery and overcoming. December 16, 2006

Marlo Thomas Shine's!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Inspirational!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Based on a true story and a book of the same title,Marlos Thomas(THAT GIRL) shine's, starring in her greatest serious acting role as Marie Balter,a true story based on the book of a mental patient for over 20 years who recovers becomes triumphant and functional.It's very inspirational especially for the mentally disabled and now it's finally on DVD!!Also check out another socially redeeming DVD by Koch Vision Entertainment "Stone Pillow" starring the late,great Lucille Ball in her last movie as a homeless bag lady who is unknowingly befriended by a social worker trying to reach her.Hopefully Koch Vision Entertainment will be able to release more of these great socially concientous and redeeming films on DVD in the distant and not so distant future!!!!!!!!! June 23, 2005

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