No One Would Tell (1996)

Choo Choo & Mitt-Mitt

Love this movie-my favorite TV movie! Candace's dying scene freaks me out every time and Fred dangerous eyes gives you insight what "Kevin Arnold" was really thinking. May 15, 2008

Great Movie!!

I was very impressed with this movie. Amazon recommended it to me as it was similar to some other movies I had purchased and was reading about. Way to go!! January 4, 2007

Abuse Is Not To Be Taken Lightly

That's the message here; and this is what can happen if action is not taken. Candace Cameron and Fred Savage leave their days as child stars behind in this 1996 NBC television movie, based on a true story. Stacy Collins (Cameron) is a junior in high school who is shy and uncertain, but when she begins dating handsome senior and star of the school wrestling team, Bobby Tennison (Savage), she feels loved and protected. But behind his charming exterior, Bobby's sweet behavior (leaving her flowers in her locker, giving her gifts, etc.), is a controlling, possessive nature which Stacy tries to dismiss. But he closely monitors her every move and feels threatened if she spends time away from him. Physical violence is commonly introduced. Their friends suspect that things are not as rosy as they seem, but only Stacy's best pal Nicky (Heather McComb) tries to persuade her to end the relationship. Trapped in the feelings of isolation and blaming herself for his inexcusable actions, Stacy lives in fear. Bobby's cousin informs Nicky that he had also mistreated his previous girlfriend (who transferred to to get away from him), and after yet another public fight (during a great school dance, where the nifty 50s is the theme), Stacy, encouraged by Nicky, tells Bobby that it's over. A truly unnerving moment in the hallway after she breaks it off, when he tells her he will never give her up. Through the wired glass of the classroom door his face is like cold, evil granite, his gaze like the black coals of hell. Bobby, under the guise of wanting to stay friends, asks her to come over to his house to give him a haircut. Inevitably, another spat occurs, and, instead of taking her home, he takes her out to a nearby lake where they had their first date. Only Bobby returns to the truck, to the horror of his friend Vince (Eric Balfour), and with blood on his hands. "If I can't have her, no one's gonna," Bobby chillingly states. Stacy is missing; her frantic mother Laura (Michelle Phillips), and friends search for clues, along with the local police; Stacy's ex-boyfriend is strangely calm. Vince, riddled with guilt, makes an anonymous call to the cops, telling them to go look out by the lake. He is eventually brought in for questioning, while Nicky informs Laura of Bobby's abusive tendencies. Vince tells what he knows, and then the investigation moves to Bobby, who finally cracks under the pressure. When Stacy refused to go back to him, he had slit her throat and dumped her body in the lake. Sally Jessy Raphael makes a special appearance as the judge who hands down the life sentence to a stone cold Bobby. She then admonishes all others involved for not speaking up - this is what can happen if you don't.

Those who remember Savage as the wholesome Kevin Arnold on "The Wonder Years" will be surprised at how effective he is - romantic and attractive one minute, angry and obsessive the next. The way Bobby treats his mother, his abusive father's past, and his anger in the wrestling ring are subtle hints of things to come (as is the moment when Stacy takes a shower at Nicky's house - it's pretty obvious that she is being watched). Cameron, who has always excelled at playing kind, naive, gentle characters, does a great job, as always. Heather McComb is the best friend every girl should have, while Michelle Phillips gives just the right amount of balance as the caring but distracted mother who is too busy with work and her own lowlife boyfriend (whom Stacy despises), to realize the dangerous situation her daughter is in.

Hopefully, stories like this will raise more awareness - too many people have looked the other way.

The DVD: This version is slightly different than the one that aired on television. Two Belinda Carlisle songs have been replaced with more current music. The only extras are trailers for direct to video films. December 18, 2006

A message that never gets old

Candace Cameron and Fred Savage shake off the goody-goody images associated with the roles that brought them teen stardom on Full House and The Wonder Years. Cameron plays Stacy Collins, a normal high school girl full of insecurities who happens to land the class hunk. Savage is Bobby Tennyson, high school wrestler and all-around popular guy. When these two get together, Stacy finally knows what it feels like to be a part of the in-crowd and is so grateful she's willing to look past Bobby's numerous faults.

Their relationship starts off normal enough with Bobby wooing Stacy with flowers and love poems, but he gets progressively more possessive and jealous. Stacy initially thinks it's cute that Bobby is so protective until it gets to the point where he becomes overbearing and irrational. Even when he starts hitting her, she defends him to her friends telling them that you stick by the people you love. "Everything's fine" becomes her mantra even though those closest to her can plainly see that it's not the case.

This relationship closely mirrors the one in which Stacy's mother is involved. Her mother is too absorbed in her own dating situation to understand and acknowledge what's going on with Stacy. Stacy assumes the maternal role, in fact, berating her mother for allowing her boyfriend to treat her badly though she's willing to overlook Bobby's abusive nature. In fact, when her mother confronts her about the abuse, Stacy says "That's your story, not mine." That Stacy's mother backs off at this point is a disgrace and this film strives to point out that in any situation no one should let abuse slide.

This film came out in the early 1990's and was one of those Sunday Night movies aimed at letting teenagers know the ills that will befall them if they're not careful. It's stuck with me all these years because the message is delivered without a scolding undertone, but instead as a reminder of what can go horribly wrong if you let things spiral out of hand. Sally Jessy Raphael has a guest role as the judge in Bobby's trial and she reminds those present who witnessed Stacy's abuse that we have a responsibility to the people who we care about. It's a foolish and dangerous practice to simply shake off abuse with the adage "Love Hurts." It shouldn't. June 22, 2006

a powerful made for TV drama

I've only seen this movie once on TV back when it first aired like 10 years ago. It was an intriguing drama that drew me in until the credits. It is very well done and the acting is top notch. It was refreshing to see Fred Savage and Candice Cameron in dramatic roles. After watching it I wanted to see it again. When I found out it was coming out on DVD I was really excited. If you haven't seen it I recommend you do if you like dramas. Don't let the made for TV fact scare you. It could have easily been in the theatre in the 80's even though it is not an 80's movies. I'm just saying it is top notch quality. If you can get your hands on a copy of this you won't be disappointed. June 12, 2006

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