People probably hit the wall even more then in trying to find out information or get help from every government agency like what James Caan is trying to find out here in regards to his ex-wife and children. He has discovered that she is in the witness protection program with her new husband, someone with criminal connections who testified in court against a mobster, and all he wants are his children back. When you first see him, he's basically a calm, hard-working blue collar worker, having a basically pleasant relationship with his ex but disapproving of her romantic entanglements. All of a sudden, the ex-wife and her new husband are missing due to a trial that the new hubby testified in. From there, Caan is no longer calm, dealing with long lines and officious workers, and eventually erupting in anger.
While this is not a great film, it definitely benefits from Caan's strong performance that shows a variety of emotions, and is one of many dozen films made in the late seventies and '80s dealing with serious social issues that led to regular human beings fighting a powerful force which made their problems seem beyond fixing.
Jill Eikenberry is good as his new girlfriend/soon to be wife, while Barbra Rae as the ex gets to show various factors in her personality, not vindictive at all against him, and simply in above her head. Robert Viharo plays Rae's new hubby whom Caan doesn't want him involved directly in his kids life. A cast of very familiar character actors (most of whom are only known by face if not by name) play the variety of bureaucratic workers who seem to have their emotions turned off in order to save their jobs rather than do right ethically.
Rae, looking like a stereotypical floozy moll, shows great emotion in the profound conclusion, and it's a nice twist compared to the usual vindictive ex. The fact that this was based on a true story is the most amazing part of the situation, although certain details seem to either be missing or twisted to make it as good as it could have been.
While this is not a great film, it definitely benefits from Caan's strong performance that shows a variety of emotions, and is one of many dozen films made in the late seventies and '80s dealing with serious social issues that led to regular human beings fighting a powerful force which made their problems seem beyond fixing.
Jill Eikenberry is good as his new girlfriend/soon to be wife, while Barbra Rae as the ex gets to show various factors in her personality, not vindictive at all against him, and simply in above her head. Robert Viharo plays Rae's new hubby whom Caan doesn't want him involved directly in his kids life. A cast of very familiar character actors (most of whom are only known by face if not by name) play the variety of bureaucratic workers who seem to have their emotions turned off in order to save their jobs rather than do right ethically.
Rae, looking like a stereotypical floozy moll, shows great emotion in the profound conclusion, and it's a nice twist compared to the usual vindictive ex. The fact that this was based on a true story is the most amazing part of the situation, although certain details seem to either be missing or twisted to make it as good as it could have been.