Sweet Nothing in My Ear
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| Sweet Nothing in My Ear | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Created by | Stephen Sachs (teleplay) |
| Written by | Stephen Sachs (play) |
| Directed by | Joseph Sargent |
| Starring | Jeff Daniels Marlee Matlin Noah Valencia |
| Theme music composer | Charles Bernstein |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original languages | English and American Sign Language |
| Production | |
| Producer | Marian Rees |
| Cinematography | Donald M. Morgan |
| Editor | Michael Brown |
| Running time | 110 minutes |
| Production company | Hallmark Hall of Fame |
| Original release | |
| Network | CBS |
| Release | April 20, 2008 |
Sweet Nothing in My Ear is a 2008 American made-for-television drama film directed by Joseph Sargent and is based on a 1998 play of the same name by Stephen Sachs, who also wrote the teleplay.[1] It stars Jeff Daniels and Marlee Matlin as the parents of a Deaf child, played by Noah Valencia, who struggle with deciding to give their child an implant that will allow him to hear again. The film premiered on CBS as a Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation on April 20, 2008.[2]
This was the final film directed by Sargent before his death on December 22, 2014.[3][4][5]
With the film Hallmark Channel and producer-director Joseph Sargent revisited deafness with a universal theme contemplating the relationship of a minority group to society at large, 23 years after their previous film on a similar theme, the Emmy-winning Love Is Never Silent (1985).[6][7]
Daniels studied American Sign Language before filming, in order to portray the language accurately.
Plot
[edit]Dan and Laura Miller (Daniels, Matlin) have been married for nine years, are separated, and in a custody dispute over their deaf son, Adam (Valencia). Their close relationship began to change when Adam loses his hearing at the age of four, the condition was initially accepted as Laura is deaf since her youth. Adam turns eight years old and he is injured when Dan is unable to warn him of oncoming danger. Dan begins to explore the idea of cochlear implants.
Flashbacks show how various situations in their lives have been advantageous and unfortunate to be deaf. The effects of deafness on the relationships of the grandparents are explored as one set is deaf and the other hearing. The issue of Deaf Pride and Deaf culture weighs in from the family.
The attorneys and the witnesses at the custody hearing focus on the benefits and disadvantages of cochlear implants. The case is to resume following the weekend. Both parents see that living separately is not helping with the raising of their children and they will make the decision as a family.[1][6][7][8]
Cast
[edit]- Marlee Matlin as Laura Miller
- Jeff Daniels as Dan Miller
- Noah Valencia as Adam Miller
- Rosemary Forsyth as Louise Miller
- Sonya Walger as Joanna Tate
- Ed Waterstreet as Max
- Phyllis Frelich as Sally
- Deanne Bray as Dr Walters
- David Oyelowo as Leonard Grisham
- Shoshannah Stern as Valerie Park
Reception
[edit]The film was reviewed by Brian Lowry for Variety; the review summary reads, "Hallmark and producer-director Joseph Sargent revisit deafness with a universal theme that contemplates the relationship of a minority group to society at large. Here, the pivotal question involves a choice unavailable to most minorities — whether they would opt out of that status if possible. Buoyed by Marlee Matlin and Jeff Daniels' strong performances, the Hall of Fame's 233rd entry suffers a tepid ending but still gets its thoughtful point across, loud and clear."[6]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Abele, Robert (April 16, 2008). "Sweet Nothing in My Ear: Jeff Daniels and Marlee Matlin play out the sound and fury". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on September 29, 2012.
- ^ Sweet Nothing in My Ear CBS, Official website.
- ^ Barnes, Mike (December 22, 2014). "Joseph Sargent, Director of 'The Taking of Pelham One Two Three,' Dies at 89". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ Robb, David (December 23, 2014). "Joseph Sargent Dies: Emmy-Winning Telefilm & 'Pelham 1-2-3' Director". Deadline. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ McNary, Dave (December 23, 2014). "Emmy-Winning Director Joseph Sargent Dies at 89". Variety. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ a b c Lowry, Brian (April 16, 2008). "Sweet Nothing in My Ear". Variety. Archived from the original on November 3, 2015.
- ^ a b Garron, Barry (April 17, 2008). "Sweet Nothing in My Ear". The Hollywood Reporter. The Associated Press. Archived from the original on April 15, 2024.
- ^ Overview New York Times.
External links
[edit]- Sweet Nothing in My Ear at IMDb
- Sweet Nothing in My Ear at CBS.com
- Sweet Nothing in My Ear at Hallmark.com