|
Wal-Mart and Procter & Gamble Join Together For
Another Family Movie Night
 Continuing
their commitment to create made-for-television movies the entire family can
enjoy, Wal-Mart and Procter & Gamble will be airing their latest Family Movie
Night title this coming Saturday, January 8th at 8/7Central on Fox.
Titled Change of Plans, the film offers an engaging story about Jason
(Joe Flanigan, from Stargate Atlantis) and Sally (Brooke White, a top-5
finisher from American Idol), a young career-centered married couple that
are suddenly faced with fulfilling a promise from years earlier. A musician
whose career is just on the verge of taking flight, Sally suddenly learns her
best friend has died on a Peace Corps mission and has declared the singer the
guardian of her children.
Jason, an aeronautical engineer dreaming of becoming a test pilot, is just as
astounded with the prospects of becoming an instant father. Yet, after some
discussion with his wife, he agrees they at least need to give the kids a couple
of weeks while Child and Family Services case worker Dorothy (Phylicia Rashad
from The Cosby Show) looks for a permanent placement.
While the outcome of the dilemma may not be too surprising, the inclusion of
four children from a myriad of backgrounds makes the plot far more interesting.
Only one of the children, soon-to-turn 16 Jordan (Jayme Lynn Evans), is a
biological child of Sally's deceased friend. The others include 15-year-old
Javier (Bobby Soto) from Guatemala; Kaleb (Jakobe Dempsey), a 9-year-old Ugandan
whose musical talents fit well with Sally's home studio; and little 6-year-old
Sung Lee from China (Clarissa Suwoko). This diverse ethnic makeup creates many
new challenges as the children are not only faced with adapting to their unknown
circumstances, but also integrating into American culture.
Contrary to what we typically see in television movies, Change of Plans
presents problems to overcome but they are resolved through working together and
taking the time to communicate on a very personal level. If you, like me, are
frustrated with movie and television scripts that leave you wondering, "Why
don't they just talk to each other?" this one will be a refreshing change. The
script also offers some nice comedy to counterpoint the touching moments.
Considering the youthful cast and Brooke White's relatively scant acting
portfolio, the performances from all members of this cast are very strong and
believable. White also gets an opportunity to show off her impressive musical
abilities. Overall Change of Plans is a fine family drama with virtually
no content concerns that continues to demonstrate the dedication P&G and
Wal-Mart both have made to bringing Family Movie Night back to prime time
broadcast television.
Rod Gustafson
Besides writing this column for the Parents Television Council, Rod Gustafson authors Parent Previews® - a newspaper and Internet column (published in association with movies.com) that reviews movies from a parent's perspective. He's also the film critic for a major Canadian TV station, various radio stations and serves on the executive of the Alberta Association for Media Awareness. Finally, his most important role is being the father to four wonderful children and husband to his beautiful wife (and co-worker) Donna.
Parenting
and the Media by Rod Gustafson
The Parents
Television Council -
www.parentstv.org
Click here to comment on this column
|
